Next Generation Science Erasmus Project

Project Title

Next Generation Science

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: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Gender equality / equal opportunities; Environment and climate change

Project Summary

Next generation Science: A one-year student exchange programme and joint science projects.
The NGS project involved Stedelijk Gymnasium Arnhem (Netherlands) and Lyceum of Keratea (Greece), who collaborated on environment- and robotics related projects.

Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient available fresh water resources to meet water demand. It affects every continent and was listed in 2015 by the World Economic Forum as the largest global risk in terms of potential impact over the next decade. (“Water crises are a top global risk”. World Economic Forum. 16 January 2015)

The lack of clean drinking water will inevitably lead to ecological and social disasters. The main topic of the Next Generation Science (NGS) project is therefore the quality of water and the importance of innovative science to tackle the global water crisis.

Participants
The project involved twelve Dutch and twelve Greek students (75% female students). Students from age group 15/16/17 y.o. were selected for their proven qualities in Science.

Aim of the project
Goal of the project was to get more students involved in science (especially female students) and make students aware of water issues in their local community and globally. This project aimed to show how industry and the community can work together to create a cleaner and safer environment. The secondary aim was to provide students with a greater cultural awareness and sense of a common European heritage.

Project 1: Water
An ecological project to compare water quality in the Keratea area and Arnhem. Students from Stedelijk Gymnasium Arnhem (SGA) and Lyceum of Keratea carried out environmental tests on their local water supply, and measured and compared water quality in their areas. Both areas have in the past been affected by pollution. The project focused on basic tools such as smartphones and simple robots to measure water quality. Results were compared to local and European / global standards and used by students working together on the exchange to be presented in the schools.

Project 2: Robotics-project
Robotics/IT-collaboration and exchange of knowledge and ideas between SGA and Lyceum of Keratea. Staff from the two schools shared good practice in the development of Robotics within the school. Both schools are currently working on, or interested in, projects involving Robotics (LEGO Mindstorms).

Project 3: Cultural awareness and common European values
Subjects of Greek and European Culture Studies, Ancient Greek and History promote European values and moral principles. They address topics such as equality, prejudice, bias, racism, freedom.

Each student played host to a student from the partner school and jointly planned a social programme.

Teams of students from both partner schools worked on various water-quality related projects in their own communities. They established contacts with universities and NGO’s in the field of water management. The NGS programme successfully blended in with SGA’s special Science programme aimed at getting more girls interested in studying Science.

Another aim was to further explore the use of robotics in education. Robotics projects (Lego Mindstorms) focused on the possibilities of testing water quality using robots.

Working together in mixed Greek / Dutch teams enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of social and cultural diversity between Greece and The Netherlands. Students’ self-confidence, team-working and communication skills were developed. Ideas on IT integration / robotics in our schools were developed and IT-awareness amongst staff was raised.

Resources from the project have already been and will continue to be used for the benefit of all students in the schools, both in regular teaching and in science / robotics projects. Students are planning to enter international robotics competitions with the view to becoming more involved.
Students who took part in the project will be promoting interest in Science in lower years, so more students will be encouraged to study science.

Partners such as Waterprof, Arnhem City Council and the local provincial government (Netherlands) and the National Metsovio Polytechnic School, Lavrio Technological Park, Municipality of Keratea, the Greek Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education contributed towards the NGS programme with presentations, fieldwork and workshops.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 31968 Eur

Project Coordinator

Stedelijk Gymnasium Arnhem & Country: NL

Project Partners

• GEL KERATEAS