Universe – an odyssey of space and time Erasmus Project

Project Title

Universe – an odyssey of space and time

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: Research and innovation; Teaching and learning of foreign languages; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

The poor interest in STEAM subjects at schools determines the low rate of entrants and the lack of potential specialists in the job market. The education mostly includes the nature science and mathematics however, we abandon the engineering and technology science, and this is the reason why we with the help of this project were trying to increase the popularity of STEAM studies by materializing this project as well as the increased interest in this field.
The OBJECTIVES of the project were to increase students’ interest in STEAM studies and to improve their achievements in this field; to encourage the implement by grounding activities in research, solving the problem and connection reason and consequence; to learn foreign languages and develop linguistic communication; to improve the partnership between the schools’ communities in the EU; to make the conditions not only for the students but for the teachers as well to improve academic skills during the project.
While implementing the project, three target groups were involved: STUDENTS aged 10-18 implemented the project and learnt to work together, explore, experiment, create; 2) TEACHERS and SCHOOL STAFF ensured smooth implementation of the project activities, shared experiences, worked in an international team, encouraged students to search, find, interest in collecting information; 3) SCHOOL‘S AND LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS were presented with the project results, they could use methodological material created during the project, also they increased interest in STEAM.
104 participants of the project partner countries went to transnational and learning visits. ACTIVITIES were carried on: gathering information on the first flights, astronauts, life on a Space station and presentation to others, producing spacecraft telescopes. TED type conference were held. Students created fairy tales, haiku, they performed and filmed national legends and fairy tales, they also worked with Solidworks and other programs. ICT and engineering teachers supervised the project. Educational lessons in a planetarium, an observatory and other science places were organized for all participants. Students created a game using the program of Codes and also crosswords using Edpuzzle, Eclipse, Crossword and some other programs. Students also accomplished mathematical calculations and experiments. Supervised by technologies, engineering, ICT teachers students were involved in the projects “Planetarium Design” and “Mars Rover”.
METHODOLOGY. Project activities were implemented with the help of methods and techniques which were consistent with the target age group of students, their needs, skills and abilities. Most of the activities were organized by WORKING IN GROUPS. Lots of presentations were made. During WORKSHOPS, ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS, also via social media dissemination was be made. Students and teachers reflected their activities, made self-assessments.
Implementation of the project enabled the development of the new positive approach to the educational process popularization STEAM subjects. Impact for STUDENTS: motivated and encouraged students for further action at the international level, improved language skills and knowledge, raised motivation, improved self-esteem, increased the desire to go deeper into STEAM subjects, which will definitely have an impact on students’ educational quality and STEAM subjects learning outcomes. For TEACHERS: the leadership and personal development progress of each teacher’s cooperation and communication, openness and innovation, innovative methods and responsibility for the decisions taken. Teachers developed training methods for dealing with ICT training, pedagogy, didactics, methods of management, school organization, the development environment competencies essential to the harmonious organization, for improving the quality of education and strategic goals. Teachers broadened the knowledge of the diversity of education systems, improved organizational competencies and language skills. For PROJECT PARTNERS: they gained an important experience in realizing international projects, developed products – methodical books, activities that were developed during the project, stressed the importance and attention of the local community STEAM things popularization problems, the benefits of STEAM subjects. Cooperation between the schools implementing STEAM education were expanded. Other European countries were able to access and customize STEAM subjects integration in their education process. Collected information was successfully used in lessons and also carrying out other projects. The created e-products as well as STEAM ideas were presented in various school and national events, shared in social media, also with the foreign partners of other projects. After completing the project in each organization the group of project coordinators will continue working and promoting the outcome of the project on eTwinning platform.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 111310 Eur

Project Coordinator

Vilniaus Gedimino technikos universiteto inzinerijos licejus & Country: LT

Project Partners

• Sirius Academy
• Escola Secundária Campos de Melo, Covilhã
• R.-K.Sg. Canisius
• I.E.S. La Cala de Mijas