Let’s Fly High in Europe Erasmus Project

Project Title

Let’s Fly High in Europe

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 : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Pedagogy and didactics

Project Summary

Let’s Fly High in Europe brought together science, technology and maths education expertise from a range of European parties to develop scientific, technology and maths skills and concepts. It aimed to recognise good practice and raise attainment in these subjects as well as improve pupil confidence in using and applying their skills. It aimed to give teachers skills and confidence to teach these subjects in cross curricular, real life contexts; focusing on subject knowledge and pedagogy. We aimed to develop a positive attitude towards these subjects, including the acquisition of skills to; observe, investigate, explore, reason and communicate scientifically and mathematically. We wanted pupils to use skills effectively to find solutions and problem solve. We strove to develop positive attitudes towards these subjects, and become confident in ones abilities. It allowed sound pedagogical approaches to scientific, technology and maths teaching and learning to be shared as well as developed essential resources to support high quality learning experiences through team teaching and the development of tool kits and quality resources for all areas of the science, technology and maths curriculum.
The participating schools; England (primary school), France (primary school), Italy (primary and secondary school), Romania (kindergarten) all identified science, technology and maths as areas they need to develop. Pupils weren’t performing so they wanted to address this to raise profiles and create positive attitudes towards the subjects both in performance of pupils and of teaching strategies. The project was carefully tailored to meet all schools science, technology and mathematical needs, as well as develop awareness of and an understanding of similarities and differences between the culture, lifestyles, celebrations, festivals and traditions.
The project was embedded into the curriculum with a cross curricular, thematic approach. This took the form of 5 topics across 2 years; Balloon Festival, Kite Flying, Airport Day, Space Day and Airshow Day. Through these topics we aimed to develop skills in investigation, calculation, communication and cultural awareness. Investigation – work scientifically developing knowledge, methods, processes and investigative skills using rational explanations. Calculate – opportunities to develop maths thinking and skills; fluency in the fundaments, conceptual understanding, recall, application, reasoning, enquiry and problem solving. Communicate – develop new computing skills and technologies. Culture – exchange cultural information to develop awareness of history, traditions, customs and cultural events.
The planned activities involved a wide range of practical, hands on, fun activities that without doubt engaged all pupils regardless of their age or ability. They aimed to enthuse and engage all pupils about learning with a real purpose and context. We stimulated excitement, curiosity and a willing to learn and discover more.
Through completing this project we developed positive attitudes towards science and mathematics, including the acquisition of higher-order skills, such as the ability to explore, investigate, question, to reason and to communicate scientifically and mathematically. Children now use their skills effectively to solve problems with greater confidence in daily life. In addition, we developed a positive attitude toward science and mathematics, seeing these subjects as a powerful way of looking at situations, and becoming confident in one’s own mathematical and scientific ability.
We hoped that this project would have some longer-term benefits too. We hoped that we would be able to use the results and findings of the project to not only shape and mold the delivery of maths, science and technology activities in our schools but to also help to shape and mold the approach to teaching and learning in our schools. We discovered that teaching through these contextual, thematic approach children certainly gain confidence, self-belief, enjoyment and above all the necessary skills. We will therefore amend our general teaching and learning approach to delivering the national curriculum. This way children should acquire the necessary skills and confidence to reason, problem solve, investigate, explore, question and communicate in all areas of the national curriculum and in life in general.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 52581 Eur

Project Coordinator

St.Mary & St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Gradinita cu Program Prelungit Ion Creanga Zalau
• ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO STATALE DI MONTA’
• Ecole Edmond Faure