Innovative methods of teaching natural sciences. Erasmus Project

Project Title

Innovative methods of teaching natural sciences.

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Health and wellbeing; Natural sciences

Project Summary

Project “Innovative Methods of Teaching Natural Sciences” is a partnership between two schools – a Polish junior high school and Spanish secondary school. Gizmnazjum nr 6 Mistrzostwa Sportowego z Oddziałami Integracyjnymi im. Jerzego Kukuczki in Rybnik is a part of complex of schools – Zespół Szkół nr 3 which also includes a secondary school – Liceum Ogólnokształcące nr 5 and since 2018 primary school – Szkoła Podstawowa nr 31. In each grade we had one sports, football oriented class, one class with students with special needs and two classes of general education. Polish students were aged 13 to 16. La Salle La Estrella in San Asensio is a small secondary school with 100 students located in a rural area. Students are at the age of 12 to 16. Apart from general education subjects, Spanish school specialises in teaching wine growing and livestock breeding.
The main aim of the project was creating an innovative curriculum for teaching natural sciences and by implementing it, improving teaching results and promoting healthy lifestyle and broadening science knowledge, including the effect of diet on preventing cancer diseases. We also wanted to teach students how to calculate BMI, how to create a healthy menu containing all the necessary elements based on Polish and Spanish eating habits. Our project helped to enrich language competence and science knowledge among the students of both schools which will improve the grades. Project meetings of students developed students’ English vocabulary, it allowed students to use English in everyday situations, they also had the chance to get to know Spanish and Polish culture respectively.
Another goal of the project was developing interpersonal skills, teamwork, time management and using varied information and communication technologies. We wished to improve the methods of teaching thus the teachers of both schools had the opportunity to learn more about curricula and teaching methods in Spain and Poland. Apart from that, with the cooperation of both schools we wished to create innovative curriculum for teaching natural sciences based on created teaching materials: healthy eating habits guide in the form of an audio book, a film to be used during the lessons and a mini cookery book.
Another aim was the development of both schools. We wanted to increase our experience in managing international projects. The project also allowed us to promote our schools in the local community. We have put all the project materials and information on schools’ websites and facebook. We also organised meetings with local primary school students to teach them about healthy eating habits and lifestyle. Main activities included the use of such methods as project work, lectures, workshops, field activities based on other innovative teaching methods of non-formal education outside the classroom. More detailed list of activities involved preparing and conducting the classes about healthy eating habits; lectures on eating habits in Spain and Poland; cooking workshops during which participants compared the differences between eating habits of particular regions; discussion about eating habits in both countries; field activities concerning growing vegetables, eco food; sports trainings with coaches and sports class students. The next activity was connected with preparing information and materials about preventing cancer diseases by the way we eat. All the above activities were based on the following materials: lesson plans, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, surveys, a vegetable garden, an audio book guide, a film and a mini cookery book.
We have had three transnational project meetings – two in Spain and one in Poland, during which all the details of the project plan were discussed, crisis management plan was created, evaluation and summing-up of the activities were done. Students took part in two project meetings in Spain and two project meetings in Poland during which they were able to work together on the project’s results and share their knowledge and experiences.
We wish the project’s activities and results to have the long-lasting effects on students, families, teachers of both schools, as well as local communities in both countries. After the project finishes both schools will continue to organise Health Promotion Day, healthy eating habits workshops for students. Moreover, a school will cultivate the vegetable garden.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 55510 Eur

Project Coordinator

Zespol Szkol nr 3 & Country: PL

Project Partners

• CPC La Salle La Estrella