Good practices

Selected for piloting
The EnvKids
Working Group:Science through digital learningCountry:Czech Republic, France, Greece, Norway, SwedenLanguages:Czech, English, French, Greek, SwedishAge of students (target group/s):6-12Links, resources:http://ohmpro.org/envkids/
The project aims at students' understanding of the concept of environmental sustainability. It consists of educational activities that are designed as a series of simple steps that children can follow easily, of building critical thinking and developing understanding of the above mentioned concept. The aim is to raise awareness of environmental sustainability through on-line simulation and demonstrations with emphasis on three levels of environmental issues: (1) My home, (2) My town and (3) My planet. The online pilot educational applications were validated in classrooms. The pedagogic approach focused on natural resources management, production and conservation of energy, and contribution of everyday practices to prevent pollution. The three on-line pilot educational applications put into practice the EnvKids explorative and collaborative learning methodology. The online tool is supported by learning sheets and good practice videos for teachers to show the use of the online tools in the classroom.Strong points and opportunities:• EnvKids uses explorative pedagogy based on age-appropriate virtual and practical experimentation and graphical interfaces.
• The didactic approach combines in-class instruction, virtual demonstrations, site visits, and on-line collaboration.
• It uses age appropriate explorative and collaborative didactic methodologies for environmental, and more generally, science education at school.

In January 2012 the EnvKids tools, and specifically "my home" and "my town", were officially approved by the Greek Ministry of Education for formal use in all Greek primary schools targeting the 5th and 6th graders.Limitations:No particular weaknesses are recognized. The project has been evaluated repeatedly and has been very well accepted by teachers and students that use it, stating its effectiveness.Added value with regards to the 3 topics of the MASS project:EnvKids uses virtual experimentation and a game-based approach that takes advantage of children's natural curiosity to help build environmental awareness skills through on-line exploration, simulation, and collaboration, and through the use of age appropriate digital tools.Any prerequisites needed:The necessary infrastructure (PCs and Internet connection).




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:

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.

Subcategories

Pilot version

Final version