Good practices
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Working Group:Low Achievers in ScienceCountry:LatviaLanguages:English, LatvianAge of students (target group/s):6-12Links, resources:http://www.rwlnetwork.org/ Many teachers in a research pointed out that students usually like lessons outdoors. That is why they go outdoors very often. In this good practice, the experience of biology and natural science teacher Lienite Iesalniece from Dundaga secondary school is described.http://www.educationscotland.gov... Contact person information:Inese Liepina This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Beaver dam. Students went outdoors to study beavers. They examined a beavers' dam and tried to find out how it was constructed. They got to know what beavers eat and why they gnaw trees. Afterwards, they observed the coasts near the dam and focused on their possible impacts on the environment. After returning to the classroom, they discussed how the dams, made for producing the electricity, influence the environment. Lichens as bioindicators. The teacher showed different kinds of lichens to students. Their task was to find them on 10 trees and count how many different lichen groups (crusty, leafy and bushy lichens) were on a tree in the height of 0.5 m to 1.5 m. Based on results from this research, students decided what lichens were more or less influenced by the air pollution (crusty lichens are most resistant to the air pollution, bushy – most sensitive). Then they discussed the ways to decrease the air pollution. Evaluation of biodiversity. Students worked in small groups. They set up a square (1 m x 1 m) on the ground and made its borders (you can use sticks). Then they described environmental conditions in the area: humidity, light, distance from buildings, roads, trails, big trees, type of ecosystem etc. Students explored groups of living organisms in their squares and counted how many organisms from each group were there. If possible, they detected the species. Students chose one organism for a detailed observation. They could make use of a magnifier glass to draw the organism. Afterwards, students evaluated biodiversity in their ecosystems and discussed why the environment was appropriate for the organisms.Strong points and opportunities:Outdoor learning is proved to be motivating, students learn better in the real life situations.Limitations:School rules often do not allow to go outdoors, or parents are against it.Added value with regards to the 3 topics of the MASS project:The practice may be incorporated as an element or an overall rule in almost all pilot materials.Any prerequisites needed:School grounds need to allow safe outdoor learning. | ||
Teaching materials
MASS project intends to identify, analyze, evaluate and disseminate practical tools and methods in teaching science which will effectively lead to arise students' motivation and acquire higher level of basic skills in science. We will explore what happens in science lessons at schools and increase the knowledge of good practice in teaching science in three research areas: Science for Digital Learners, Early Inquiry and Low achievers in Science (See more: Main topics).
Main project activities include:
1. Identification of the national examples of good practices
The initial phase of the project is to analyze the strengths, weaknesses and potential in the particular area of science education method in each partner country. It will include identification of good practices on raising students motivation for science on the national level. Examples identified will be collected in the online database.
See more: Good practices repository
2. Development of pilot teaching materials and testing phase
Findings from the research phase of the project will form the ground for development of the pilot version of educational materials in each Working Group.
Piloting stage of the project, with the involvement of target group, will raise the quality and exploitability of the products.
3. Development of the final version of teaching materials
Final version of educational products will be developed after summing up the piloting phase. They will be available in each partner language. The final project results will bring a change at the classroom level. Teachers will be aware of the key factor for motivation of their students to learn science. They will use a wide range of methods effectively and appropriately to the learning needs and preferences of their students. More teachers will be confident and successful in use such of methods. They will make teaching science more relevant and accessible to students.
Final products will be widely presented and disseminated during the Open Conference III in the middle of 2016.
Pilot materials
To help teachers to become empowered, skillful and self-confident, we work on:
- Study (recommendations)
- Examples of good practices
- Module of teacher training
- Hands-on lessons / tutorials
for Digital Learners, Early Inquiry and Low Achievers in Science.
If you want to help us to improve these materials by taking part in piloting, please contact leader of each Working Group:
Leonie de Vries (Digital Learners), e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lenka Pachmanova (Early Inquiry), e mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Daiga Kalnina (Low Achievers), e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or the MASS project partner in your country:
Czech Republic, TEREZA Educational Center
Lenka Pachmanova e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cyprus, Cyprus Center for Environmental Research and Education (CY.C.E.R.E.)
Chrisis Kleovoulou, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonia, Estonian Physical Society
Kaido Reivelt, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Germany, University of Cologne Geographical Institute
Astrid Hensel, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Greece, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Thalia Mavrakou, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Latvia, Children's Environmental School
Inese Liepina, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Netherlands, SME Advies
Bregje van den Brand, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Poland, UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre
Elżbieta Wołoszyńska-Wiśniewska, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.