Good practices

The Irresistible Project
Working Group:Low Achievers in ScienceCountry:Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, TurkeyLanguages:Dutch, English, Greek, PolishAge of students (target group/s):13-14, 15-18Links, resources:http://www.irresistible-project....
The project's main goal is to design activities that foster the involvement of students in scientific research. This will be achieved by combining formal and informal educational approaches to introduce relevant topics (Earth science, Ecology, Energy, Environmental sciences, Geophysics, Meteorology, Nanotechnology, Oceanography) and cutting-edge research into educational programmes. Each of the 10 project partner countries will create a Community of Learners to develop a thematic module. The materials developed in these communities will be implemented in student classrooms. Additionally, the students will have the opportunity to visit research laboratories and other facilities of interest, which will bring them knowledge on the relation between research and innovation. Through this methodology pupils will be familiarised with science.Strong points and opportunities:>• Through the construction and presentation of exhibits on Responsible Research and Innovation teachers and students are introduced to a different type of science from the one that is usually presented in science classes. This may be very attractive for students who do not perform well in the usual science classes.
• The preparation of exhibits on Responsible Research and Innovation helps learners to see that uncertainty and risk are inherent in scientific and technological enterprises.
• The production and presentation of exhibits can involve students in inquiry and discussion. This has often been a successful method for students who typically do not perform well in science classes due to the fact that they do not get motivated by the conventional means to approach science.Limitations:• The program is very new and just building its strength to support science education.
• Capacity of teachers to support without additional training.Added value with regards to the 3 topics of the MASS project:Getting students in touch with real science and scientists and familiarizing them with the process of the scientific method of inquiry in research. This is a unique learning process that can motivate students who have previously been low achievers.Any prerequisites needed: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