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The EDU-ARCTIC publication CITIZEN SCIENCE INITIATIVE FOR SCHOOLS: EDU-ARCTIC MONITORING OF METEOROLOGICAL AND PHENOLOGICAL PARAMETERS was presented on 2nd July at the 11th EDU-LEARN Conference in Spain.
Citizen science is sometimes described as "public participation in scientific research," or participatory monitoring. Such initiatives help to bring research into, for example, the classroom and engage pupils in well-structured observations of nature in their vicinity. The learning and practising of observation may increase the understanding of complex conditions occurring in nature, related to biology, ecology,ecosystems functioning, physics, atmospheric chemistry etc. For school curricula and motivation ofpupils, practical hands-on activities performed by school pupils themselves by using their own sensesstimulate faster learning and cognition. For this, the EDU-ARCTIC project developed the MonitoringSystem. All schools in Europe are invited to participate in a meteorological and phenologicalobservation system in the schools’ surroundings, to report these observations on the web-portal and tohave access to all the accumulated data. The schools and pupils become part of a larger citizen effortto gain a holistic understanding of global environmental issues. The students may learn to act asscientific eyes and ears in the field. No special equipment is needed. Reporting of observations shouldbe made once a week in the Monitoring System through the EDU–ARCTIC web-portal or theaccompanying mobile app. A manual and a field guide on how to conduct observations and report areavailable through the web. Teachers may download reports containing gathered information and usethem for a wide variety of subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.
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The EDU-ARCTIC publication EDU-ARCTIC COMPETITIONS AS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO INCREASE STUDENTS' INTEREST IN STEM was presented on 2nd July at the 11th EDU-LEARN Conference in Spain.
Competitions combined with field trips organised for students and teachers break the common format of teaching and learning in which knowledge is transferred in traditional way at the premises of schools. Science trips are innovative methods of making the learning processes more attractive and appealing. Moreover, competitions for students may stimulate students’ creativity and help to increase their inventiveness. An educational initiative proposing contest for students combined with attractive prizes of polar expeditions is EDU-ARCTIC.
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The publication THE EDU-ARCTIC PROJECT: INTERACTING FOR STEM ACROSS COUNTRIES AND CURRICULA was presented during a conference session at the 13th INTED conference "Exploring new frontiers in education" in Valencia, Spain.
The publication is a novel collaboration by several EDU-ARCTIC consortium members and one teacher from our 2018 edition of the Arctic Competition, Dr. F.J. (Paco) Gómez Senent. It shows how the educational tools of the EDU-ARCTIC program can be used for interdisciplinary teaching, and create inspiration for teachers. It raises the important point that everything in nature is connected, and to raise awareness about this important premise for STEM education, it should be taught also interdisciplinary across normal school curricula, not only within single subjects. In Valencia, the ideas were presented on stage by both Dr. Gómez Senent, and on behalf of the EDU-ARCTIC consortium Mr. Paul E. Aspholm.
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The publication The Arctic and Polar Research as a Vehicle to Inspire Interest in Science and Research: Ideas from the EDU-ARCTIC Program was presented during a conference session at the 8th International Conference "Education, Research & Development" in Elenite, Bulgaria.
The publication, written by the head of EDU-ARCTIC project, Agata Goździk, presented main educational tools of the EDU-ARCTIC program. Moreover, the results of the entry assessment survey with information from 146 teachers concerning 12310 pupils from 26 countries were presented and discussed. This survey contains information on pupils’ interest in scientific careers, their knowledge about conditions of work of professional scientists and interest and knowledge about Arctic issues. Moreover, first results of evaluation studies on online lessons and Arctic competition conducted from January till June 2017 were described and their impact on pupils interest in STEM was discussed.
Full paper attached.
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The publication How to conduct inspiring webinars for STEM classes in secondary schools: Experiences from EDU-ARCTIC program on the Arctic and polar research, was presented during a session at the 11th annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED2017) in Valencia (Spain).
The publication, written by the head of EDU-ARCTIC project, Agata Goździk, highlighted various aspects of conducting webinars. The author gave explanation, why the Arctic and polar research may be used as interesting and engaging topic for webinars for schools. Some advantages of this method were presented, but also potential barriers and problems, which may occur while proposing and conducting webinars, were discussed. The results of requirement analysis survey conducted among STEM teachers from secondary schools were presented. In the discussion various initiatives (EDUSCIENCE, ERIS, Scientix) were also indicated as a useful source of experience. The paper ends with a set of recommendations concerning preparatory of webinars, conducting a webinar and some technical aspects
Full paper here
This project (EDU-ARCTIC) has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 710240. The content of the website is the sole responsibility of the Consortium and it does not represent the opinion of the European Commission, and the Commission is not responsible for any use that might be made of information contained.