Innovative Schools: Teaching & Learning in DIGITAL STEM LABS Erasmus Project

Project Title

Innovative Schools: Teaching & Learning in DIGITAL STEM LABS

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 : Partnerships for Digital Education Readiness

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Natural sciences

Project Summary

The project “Innovative Schools: Teaching & Learning in DIGITAL STEM LABS” aims at creating a strategic partnership for Digital Education Readiness (School education). The specific objective of the project is to enhance the provision of the STEM education at (lower/ upper-secondary) level through wider integration of digital contents into the school curriculum in full compliance with the distance learning and teaching. The project also aims to improve the competencies of secondary school teachers for the development of digital teaching methodology in line with the new applying of distance STEM education (innovations, smart specialisation, design-based innovation). The partnership of secondary schools and higher education institutions will promote networking of institutions across the EU, sharing of resources and expertise, and collaboration with digital technology providers and experts in educational technologies and relevant pedagogical practice, to develop tailor made solutions adapted to local challenges and realities in STEM education.
The project network includes six organizations that have a long experience on STEM education, combining organizations from secondary schools to higher education institutions. Based on the relevant momentum created in our digital era, the project “Innovative Schools: Teaching & Learning in DIGITAL STEM LABS” will design an innovative framework curriculum and corresponding teaching/learning method “DIGITAL STEM LABS” for delivering digital contents related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational skills that will be based on cross-sectoral cooperation and interdisciplinary approaches.
The project/work plan is structured in 4 components /4 project phases, each of them being divided in several activities, with all the phases/components having strong interactions among them.
Component 1: State-of-the-art situation in STEM education concerning the digital readiness
Given the diversity of the distance education best practice examples and relevant level of mainstreaming in the countries represented by the project partnership(Turkey, Greece, Lithuania, Spain) a comparative analysis will be undertaken. Relevant study/report will be as an Intellectual Output 1.This component of the project will be coordinated by Nezihe Derya Baltalı Bilim ve Sanat Merkezi (Turkey). Other project partners will provide relevant contributions/inputs.
Component 2: Exchange of competencies and know-how/tailor-made trainings
The 2nd component of the project will be focused on extensive and direct exchange of competencies and know-how by means of the Short-term joint staff trainings conducted by the respective project partners and their external experts/key stakeholders on the following topics of:
• Module 1 Science in STEM- This module will be designed, organised and delivered by University of Crete;
• Module 2 Technology-Engineering in STEM- This module will be designed, organised and delivered by Pamukkale University;
• Module 3 Maths in STEM- This module will be designed, organised and delivered by Rey Juan Carlos University.
Component 3: Development of the Curriculum Framework “DIGITAL STEM LABS”
Based on the outcomes of the Component 1 and Component 2, the project coordinator and project partners will jointly deliver the Curriculum Framework “DIGITAL STEM LABS”. The Curriculum Framework will be considered as an Intellectual Output 2. This component of the project will be coordinated by URJC (Spain). Following the delivery the Curriculum Framework the project partners will commence with the development of a comprehensive methodological guideline for teachers which will demonstrate core quality factors required for successful implementation of relevant distance teaching and learning. The methodological guidelines for teacher will be considered as an Intellectual Output 3. This component of the project will be coordinated by University of Crete (Greece) and Other project partners will provide relevant contributions/inputs. In parallel, a Web-based thematic platform, i.e. Open Education Resource (OER) on educational provision of the “DIGITAL STEM LABS” will be designed. The OER design and relevant development will be coordinated by Pamukkale University. Other project partners will provide relevant contributions/inputs. Open Education Resource(OER) will be considered as Intellectual Output 4.
Component 4: Pilot-testing of the Curriculum Framework “DIGITAL STEM LABS”
The pilot-testing of the Curriculum Framework ” DIGITAL STEM LABS” will be carried out by means of a short-term exchange of the secondary school students from 3 partner schools. The pilot testing will be designed and coordinated by Panevėžio Žemynos progimnazija.
The final phase of the project will be focused on the dissemination activities as well as internal activities aimed at ensuring maximum impact and sustainability. 3 national dissemination events/conferences will be organised in Turkey, Greece, Lithuania.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 221077 Eur

Project Coordinator

Nezihe Derya Baltali Bilim ve Sanat Merkezi & Country: TR

Project Partners

• 3rd Junior High School of Rethymno
• UNIVERSIDAD REY JUAN CARLOS
• Pamukkale Universitesi
• PANEPISTIMIO KRITIS
• Panevezio “Zemynos” progimnazija