Good practices
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 Working Group:Early InquiryCountry:PolandLanguages:PolishAge of students (target group/s):13-14, 15-18Links, resources:http://innowacyjnyekolog.pl/http://www.cpe.gov.pl/pliki/1306... The project is innovative because it is interdisciplinary. It is conducted by the use of educational project method which provides schools with measurement and laboratory equipment (of which the schools is the owner and which can be used further afterwards). It is suitable for students to exchange experience and cooperate (science camp for groups of students), for teachers (conferences) and for scientists (consultations for teachers with scientists, experience exchange during editing final version of educational materials).Strong points and opportunities:• Versatility of the project (behavior – attitudes vs. educational effects); • Holistic depiction of environmental issues (interdisciplinary); • Various forms of activities (field research, in-door classes, laboratory research, student trips, experiments, games, etc.); • Students have the opportunity to acquire research and science competences through working in project groups; • Cooperation with science institutions: University of Wroclaw (lectures for students, field classes, consultations for teachers with science mentors); SGS-EKO Project in Pszczyna (presentation of equipment and sample collection showed by experts, visiting each school attending the project; ability of taking samples by students themselves); • Cooperation with students from another school (science camp for several students from each school – organized twice); • Access to a set of elaborated educational/ teaching materials; • Taking part in the project was free of charge (students' participation is independent of their financial situation); • Cooperation of teachers who teach various subjects in one school (interdisciplinary approach to teaching);Limitations:• Logistic difficulties with extra classes planning in a weekly timetable – students from different class should be able to participate in them;Added value with regards to the 3 topics of the MASS project:• Better and more effective work in groups; • Encouraging students in the world recognition and learning science education (through various interesting activities); • Acquiring new practical competences (student – environmental researcher, student – author of multimedia presentation); • Science interest development among students; • Knowledge of an up-to-date method of science research; • Equipping classrooms with new research and measurement tools, which teachers can use in other lessons;Any prerequisites needed:• Appropriate measurement and laboratory equipment was bought for each school (schools got various overtures and they can choose the necessary equipment); • Access to the Internet (schools have their own bookmark on the projects websites where information about important events is published); | ||
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.