Learning to Think and Live Outside the Box Erasmus Project

Project Title

Learning to Think and Live Outside the Box

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 2020

Project Topics

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

Project Summary

“Learning to Think and Live Outside the Box” is a project created from the shared belief in an inclusive, quality education that provides opportunities for all, independently of their background, abilities or challenges to overcome. It aims to provide pupils a set of unique experiences to see what is outside the box, developing an increased understanding of diversity and common belonging, through raising the bar in the use of technology for educational and communication purposes and offering a safe, exciting, motivating framework for pupils with otherwise less opportunities.
The project includes only 3 schools to ensure an in-depth collaboration and development of long lasting, working connections and friendships. They are also from very different but complementary realities. Parkgate Junior, after a first successful experience in KA229 and more experience in eTwinning, has stepped in to coordinate the project as the whole team is committed in take their part. Tärnsjö Skola( 130 pupils) is a very small school in a rural isolated setting in the Uppsala region, Central/North Sweden; Escola Vedruna d’Artés( 285 pupils) with integrated learning until the age of 16 in a semi rural area 70 Km away from Barcelona, in Catalonia, NorthEast Spain; Parkgate Junior School( 239 pupils) is a diverse community offering education from 7 to 11 years old in Watford, an urban area at the outskirts of London, UK. All different climates, currencies, vehicular languages, surroundings, diversity levels… and still sharing commitment, enthusiasm and passion to create better presents and futures through education.
There are three short-term pupil mobilities( 10/12 pupils per visiting partner) for all schools to host and engage the community. “Learning to Think and Live Outside the Box” will allow to learn about distant realities yet facing common challenges in physical and mental wellbeing and sustainability. Through eTwinning activities in class, pupils will be on a journey to understand the origin and end of what we consume and its consequences.
Our project also incorporates two teacher meetings( 3 teacher per visiting partner) where high quality training on technologies applied in education and raising awareness of environmental footprint will be accompanied by invaluable exchange of knowledge and practice from all the partner schools, focusing in inclusion of pupils with different learning needs and challenges, as well as assessment models and practice and children wellbeing- and staff too. This will create a network of teachers to support and learn from each other.
The impact of the project will be transformative, as the three schools are at the core of their communities. The project is designed to make sure everyone participates when hosting and all the teachers have a role and opportunity to learn and create unique lessons with linked classrooms. The project will have an impact on children’s attitudes at a time when they are most likely to carry these skills forward into their future lives. A project such as this, coming at such an important stage in the children’s development will undoubtedly enrich their world view and aspirations.
Pursuing the Sustainable Development Goal #4 Quality Education all the schools will increase their participation in eTwinning projects and the use of cutting edge technology in ordinary and extraordinary activities. Pursuing SDG #3, the partnership will allow to revise and improve the wellbeing at the core of a healthy child and adult development. We aim all schools to renew their commitment in reducing environmental footprint and prepare pupils to adapt to a world where change is occurring and might be needed.
Greater awareness of the 2030 Agenda, enhanced inclusion opportunities for pupils and deeper assessment practices for staff, becoming eTwinning schools and creating teacher collaboration networks are some of the long lasting benefits. These being at the forefront of our focus, in making quality education accessible for all in our communities.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 90763 Eur

Project Coordinator

Parkgate Junior School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Fundació Vedruna Catalunya Educació
• Tärnsjö skola