3rd MASS Conference is coming

The MASS project team and the GLOBE Program Region Coordination Office Europe and Eurasia are pleased to invite the science teaching community to participate in the 3rd Education Conference ‘Motivate and Attract Students to Science’. This event will take place at the University of Cologne, in Cologne, Germany on September 28‐30, 2016.

In this conference, we will:

  • share ideas on enhancing the motivation of students for STEM by bringing together science teachers, educators, trainers, and scientists from all over Europe,
  • share best practice approaches and results of almost 3 years of MASS project work,
  • provide training and classroom materials, tools and methodologies.

In the frame of plenary sessions, workshops and trainings, a poster session, and an idea market participants will learn about and discuss innovative teaching approaches, which are particularly useful to motivate and attract students to science. Special emphasis will be put on:

  • Science for Digital Learners,
  • Early Inquiry,
  • Low Achievers in Science.

A keynote on place based learning approaches in STEM education will be provided by Prof. Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Mount Royal University, Calgary / Canada.

Participants are welcome to share their experience in the frame the poster sessions, in the idea market and in discussions. Among others, you have the opportunity to partake in an educational rally, which highlights the use of modern communication technologies to combine science education with the fun and excitement to discover some of Cologne’s attractions.

See the full invitation

Come and join us to share, experience and to discuss motivating and attractive approaches in science teaching! We are looking forward to seeing you in Cologne!

 

Materials from the III MASS Conference

Welcome Session

Introduction about MASS-project 

Keynote speech: Prof. Dr. Kevin O'Connor (Mount Royal University Calgary) 

 

 

Training / Workshop  

Session on Science for Digital Learners

Part 1  

 

 

Part 2  

 

Session on Early Inquiry

Part 1  

 

 

Part 2 

 

 

Session on Low Achievers in Science

Part 1  

 

 

Part 2  

 

Closing Session on Wednesday 

 

Closing MASS conference on Thursday

 

Venue

The 3rd Education Conference ‘Motivate and Attract Students to Science’ will take place at the University of Cologne: COPT (Building No. 315), Luxemburger Str. 90, 50939 Cologne.

Cologne

The map shows the locations of the recommended hotels and the conference venue (University of Cologne).

How to get to Cologne

By plane:

  • Cologne Bonn Airport (IATA: CGN) handles international and domestic flights and is a hub for the low cost airlines Germanwings and TUIfly. The airport is approximately 15 min by S-Bahn (local train) to the centre of Cologne. S-Bahn fare (ticket zone 1b) is currently €2.80 one-way.
  • Düsseldorf International Airport (IATA: DUS) offers many intercontinental connections. Train ride from the airport train station to Cologne central station takes about 40 min.
  • Frankfurt International Airport (IATA: FRA) is the largest airport in Germany. Train rides to Cologne central station takes about 60 min.

By train:

  • Cologne is served by two major train stations - Köln Hauptbahnhof and Köln-Deutz.
  • Cologne is linked with Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris by Thalys and ICE High Speed trains.
  • Additionally, Frankfurt airport (IATA:FRA) has direct service to Cologne and is within one hour by ICE trains.

For more information about Cologne please find detailed information at www.cologne-tourism.com

Accomodation

We have blocked a limited number of rooms in the hotel “Motel One Köln-Waidmarkt” (single room: 69.00 € per night; double room: 84.00 € per night)

If you decide to stay at this hotel, please fill in the attached reservation document, which you receive with your confirmation of conference registration. In order guarantee the special conference rate, we recommend booking the hotel by 16.08.2016.

Alternatively, we recommend the following hotels, which are located near the conference venue. Please contact the hotel directly to book your room.

 

Below you can see University of Cologne on Google Maps:

 

 

Idea Market

The 3rd Education Conference ‘Motivate and Attract Students to Science’ offers all participants who registered online the opportunity to present their contributions and ideas related to the topic ‘motivating science education’. You can share your experience in the frame of:

  • the poster presentation at the idea market
  • an exhibition stand at the idea market
  • short presentations / a short experiment at the idea market.

Outstanding approaches will receive particular recognition accompanied by attractive prizes. Please indicate your contribution to idea market during online registration procedure.