Project “Ecology”

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... Project „Ecology” is an interdisciplinary program of science education. In frame of this project, all activities were focused on three main elements (water, air, ground). The main goals of the project were: supporting interest in science education among students, creative integration of various disciplines, arousing openness of the world knowledge through activities and development of ecological attitudes and behaviour. 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);