“…and thence we came forth to see again the stars” Erasmus Project

Project Title

“…and thence we came forth to see again the stars”

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 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Natural sciences; Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills; Cultural heritage/European Year of Cultural Heritage

Project Summary

The central idea of the project aims to fight the lack of scientific-mathematical skills in children between 9 and 12 years, through the approach to the study of astronomy and observation of the sky. The direct observation of celestial phenomena, the collection of data and the related analysis in order to formulate hypotheses to be verified on the field will all be elements that will bring pupils very close to the scientific method and the history of scientific discoveries.

Through the various mobilities in the five European countries belonging to the partnership (Italy, Finland, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece) there will be the opportunity to observe the celestial vault from places located at different latitudes in Europe, specifically chosen during the design phase in locations of particular geographic and scientific interest, which possess structures dedicated to astronomical observation. This will allow us to experience that each observation point offers a different perspective of the celestial vault although it is one and one for all. Thanks to the possibility of visiting very distant places on the global grid, children will also be able to see how the latitude and the consequent different solar irradiation influences many aspects of life on earth, from duration of daylight to climate, from landscape to human settlements.

In addition to acquiring essential knowledge related to the celestial sphere, it will be possible to let the students retrace the history of scientific and technological observations and inquiries that brought the human being from rock paintings to the discovery of the globe and the conquest of space. Particular attention will also be directed to the humanistic-philosophical and anthropological approach through the examination of myths, literary, artistic and religious works related to the knowledge of the sky. The project activities will allow to use innovative teaching methods and new technologies, experimenting with new pedagogical approaches to learning and teaching, developing interdisciplinary programs based on reality tasks, promoting basic skills as well as interpersonal skills and European citizenship’s ones.

Total mobility is foreseen for 100 pupils and around 60 teachers.

The expected results will therefore be – in extreme synthesis – the followings:
FOR THE STUDENTS
– raising the key competences in the scientific-mathematical field, but also linguistic, relational and citizenship awareness ones;
– raising the propensity to go on learning about Science;

FOR PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS AND TERRITORIAL STAKEHOLDERS
– raising the teaching and disciplinary skills of the teachers of all the schools involved;
– raising the propensity of teachers and students to plan and participate in future international projects;
– production of already tested thematic teaching materials that can become part of the school curricula permanently;
– setting up of ‘basic astronomical laboratories’, located both within schools and in the surrounding areas, with ‘widespread’ installations meant to remain a heritage of both educational institutions and communities.

The vehicular language will be English, studied in every nation involved, although there will be a way to reflect on how and why the various languages interface with the astronomical and scientific terminology.

The project management will be based on close collaboration between the partners and on strict compliance with procedures, timing and instruments agreed at an early stage both at a distance and during a first fundamental meeting in presence to take place by the coordinating school.

In the medium and long term the impact of the project will be found in the permanent presence of educational tools and lesson plans aimed at promoting scientific culture within each of the participating institutions (and school communities).
The partner schools will also increase the propensity of their staff and their users towards international relations and openness to Europe and the world.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 161107 Eur

Project Coordinator

I.C. TORGIANO-BETTONA & Country: IT

Project Partners

• School of European Education
• Ivalon ala-asteen koulu
• CEIP Antonio Machado
• St Leonard’s Church of England Primary School