Title of Initiative / Project
GEOschools-teaching geosciences in secondary schools
Name of Organiser
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Start and ending date of the Initiative
2013-2015
Was the initiative carried out in the framework of a funded project?
Yes
Funding Programme
LLP. Comenius
Title of the project
GEOschools-teaching geosciences in secondary schools
Promoter
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Project number
19. 510508-LLP-1-2010-1-GR-COMENIUS-CMP
Type of deliverables
Teaching Methodology, Didactical resource
Language of the deliverable
Italian, Other EU, Spanish, English
Target Group
Teachers, Students
Description of the initiative
GEOschools brings together geoscientists from universities, museums, geoparks, teaching training institutions and educators which can best “translate” geosciences into language and learning opportunities that can be understood by school students. The target of the project is to define a “Framework on geosciences literacy principles” for the general European citizens, to be applied at least, for the revision of compulsory school curricula for secondary schools for the participant countries.
Main aims of the project are: (a) bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and school knowledge in geosciences; (b) increasing the knowledge of teachers and the ability of students in valuing and appreciating geosciences; (c) improving educational skills of geosciences in European school environment; (d) establishing and sustaining a consortium on research and initiatives on geosciences didactics; and (e) supporting education for sustainability.
A further main purpose of Geoschools project would be to supplement other EU policies like “Culture” and “Environment” providing opportunities for cross-curricula links through a “horizontal”, interdisciplinary use of some key geosciences concepts like geological heritage, which is a fundamental ground concept for other cultural heritage developments of Humanity.
The key results to be issued during the development of the project are:
(a) a curriculum comparison research
(b) an interest research
(c) a school geosciences dictionary (lexicon)
(d) teaching modules on specific subjects and
(e) an interactive website/portal and an e-Newsletter.
Teachers’ Opinion
Geosciences are probably subject of least interest from students in Bulgarian schools. They often share their opinions that it is something related to past and that it is not necessary in their everyday life. It is very difficult for teachers to provide students with interesting examples and materials, which can grab their attention and present them the science knowledge in an attractive and understandable way. I think the resources of this project can help teachers a lot in preparation of their lessons.
Students’ Opinion
It looks interesting to see explanation of geosciences. However everything is in English and is difficult to understand without help from the teachers. If there were more visual games or presentations it would be more interesting for students.
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