THE ARCHITECTURE OF SOCIETY Erasmus Project

Project Title

THE ARCHITECTURE OF SOCIETY

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: Migrants’ issues; Social entrepreneurship / social innovation

Project Summary

“The Architecture of Society” is a project that investigates the value of architecture and urban planning to promote social inclusion.

It has arisen from other European projects, the most recent of which studied the links between society and architecture. From these multilateral projects, we consolidated a successful partnership while recognizing the benefits of the incorporation of new partner schools. We have discovered the need to further develop new methodologies for teaching and learning; in particular, using a cross-curricular and entrepreneurial approach.

Our objectives include:

• understanding the causes and effects of migration on society
• recognizing the importance of social inclusion
• generating creative solutions with innovative thinking
• enhancing the students’ sense of social entrepreneurship
• incorporating new technologies and communication methods
• intercultural dialogue
• developing skills of problem-solving and adaptability
• the acquisition of social, civic and intercultural competences
• the promotion democratic and fundamental rights
• active citizenship
• the developing of leadership skills

The 6 partner schools are:

1. Sandnes VGS (Norway), a co-ed Upper Secondary school, will coordinate the project. They will bring their experience in Design & Architecture, Science & Technology and a cross-curricular approach to teaching.

2. Loreto College (Cavan, Ireland), an all-girl Catholic Secondary school, will bring their expertise in Development Education to the project.

3. RGS `t Rijks (Bergen-op-Zoom, The Netherlands), a co-ed Secondary school, has a well developed Technasium which is a truly cross-curricular and entrepreneurial way of learning. They will bring their expertise in this field to the project.

4. Agora Sant Cugat International School (Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain), a co-ed Secondary school, emphasizes international education to prepare their students for a globalised and international economy and labour market.

5. Sabin Dragoi College of Arts (Arad, Romania), a co-ed Vocational Arts school, will bring a new dynamic and perspective in the European panorama while emphasizing the arts and the use of ICT.

6. A’tositseio arsakeio lykeio ekalis (Athens, Greece), a co-ed Secondary school, will bring special knowledge on ancient architecture and challenges related to immigration and refugees.

While developing new ways of learning through a cross-curricular and international project, we aim to prepare students, teachers and other stakeholders for life in an increasingly-globalised labour market. Using historical and current, local perspectives of each society, “The Architecture of Society” will have students of diverse cultural backgrounds investigate the value of architecture and urban planning to promote social inclusion regarding intra and international migration. Transnational groups will develop their communication, cooperation, teamwork and planning skills; fostering a spirit of creative yet practical entrepreneurship in their approach to solutions.

Over the 2 years of the project, there will be 6 short-term student exchanges with each partner hosting once. During the autumn visit of each year, teachers will plan in detail the activities for that year. In winter and spring of each year, students will meet to showcase the work they have been carrying out in their home school, compare that work with that of their partners and discuss their findings.

Our methodologies will include:

– task-based learning
– developing skills in training activities
– visual presentations to reflect and disseminate student experiences
– surveys
– comparative studies
– conference, debate and public-speaking
– dissemination activities (writing newspaper articles, producing video etc.)
– interviews with politicians and officials
– visits to local institutions/organizations
– lectures/presentations
– design and production of posters and visual presentations
– artwork
– visits to places of historical and cultural importance
– expert lectures on architecture, city planning and inclusion
– presentations of visions of final concepts

Results will include:

– project logo
– multimedia presentations that document and reflect upon student research
– personal story presentations that reflect migration experience of family or acquaintances of the students, any obstacles to social inclusion will be considered
– project app for participatory urbanism using the information gathered during research
– questionnaires designed by students to analyse the current situation regarding social inclusion in their area

Impact:

– improved language competence
– enhanced (inter)cultural awareness
– enhanced entrepreneurial spirit
– improved ICT, presentation, communication and public speaking skills
– increased awareness of issues relating city planning and architecture

In the longer term, participants in the project will have an increased social awareness, more active European citizenship.

Project Website

https://erasmusarchproject.com

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 64587,9 Eur

Project Coordinator

Sandnes videregående skole & Country: NO

Project Partners

• Estudio Agora SAU
• Colegiul de Arte “Sabin Dragoi” Arad
• A’ Arsakeio Tositseio Lykeio Ekalis
• Regionale Scholengemeenschap ‘t Rijks
• Loreto College, Cavan