STE(A)M Based Teaching

Course venue and dates:

18.08 - 24.08.2024 Kuressaare-Saaremaa (Estonia) 7-day course

27.10 - 03.11.2024 Larnaca, Cyprus 7-day course

“Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time” - Ravindranath Tagor

About the training: Join our hands-on course designed for educational specialists eager to integrate STEM and STEAM methods into their teaching. In the rapidly evolving workforce of the twenty-first century, cultivating skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) is essential.

Starting from preschool and extending through primary, secondary, and pre-secondary education, STEAM education prepares students for active participation in their future. Our course emphasizes practical, non-traditional approaches, incorporating art to implement STEAM effectively.

Teachers play a pivotal role in STEAM education, guiding students in hands-on activities to design, create, and build. This approach not only prevents boredom but also provides a tangible final product for evaluation. STEM education, at its core, bridges the gap between the classroom and real-life applications.

Our structured program delves into STEAM teaching methods, lesson planning, assessment strategies, and student engagement. It goes beyond traditional STEM subjects, focusing on the philosophy of STEAM education, encouraging curiosity, and mirroring real-life scenarios.

Enroll now to gain insights into creating integrated lessons, interdisciplinary subjects, and extracurricular activities centered around STEM. Shape the future by laying a strong foundation for our upcoming leaders through innovative and practical STEAM education.

Target Audience:

· Pre-school education teachers.

· Teachers across all school levels, including VET and adult education.

· Special needs teachers.

· Teacher trainers.

· Headmasters, principals, and administrative staff of pre-school and school educational institutions.

NOTE! Each participant is required to bring their own tablet and/or laptop, along with a camera or smartphone. Computers or tablets will not be provided by the organizers.

Learning outcomes:

· How to use ICT tools to organize and manage their classes and groups.

· How to create a lesson plan that implements STE(A)M method.

· How to work with ICT tools to create and use resources for teaching by using STE(A)M method.

· How to use the e-platform Nearpod for lesson planning.

Participants in the structured course will gain knowledge in the following areas:

· Effectively utilizing ICT tools to organize and manage classes and groups.

· Develop comprehensive lesson plans that integrate the STE(A)M method.

· Harnessing ICT tools to create and utilize teaching resources aligned with the STE(A)M approach.

· Proficiently using the e-platform Nearpod for streamlined lesson planning.

Daily Program: The standard program spans 7 days. The initial day focuses on icebreaker activities for participants to acquaint themselves, an introduction to the course topic, and hands-on activities demonstrating the course's online platform. The concluding day involves follow-up discussions, individual consultations, guidance on implementing the training with students, seeking mentor support, and concludes with a certificate ceremony.

Participants are advised to arrive one day before the course commencement and depart one day after its conclusion. The host organization may also arrange additional activities such as visits to local schools in Kuressaare/Larnaca, meetings with teachers, and cultural programs.

Program Overview: Our structured course focuses on implementing the STE(A)M approach in schools, emphasizing the interconnectedness of STEM subjects. Participants will gain insights into STEM teaching methods, including Project-Based Learning, Problem-Based Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, Place-based education/learning, and Critical thinking.

Key Learning Points:

· Understanding STEM and STEM subjects

· Introduction to STEM and STEAM

· Exploring STEM teaching methods, with a focus on Project-Based Learning and other keystones

· Unraveling the STEM Engineering Design Process

· Integrated STEM education at the primary level through cross-curricular teaching

· Effective lesson planning for STEM subjects

· Utilizing ICT tools for STEM lesson planning

· Interacting with 3D objects and using VR for virtual field trips

· Implementing formative assessment in STEM teaching and learning

· Leveraging ICT tools for concept mapping, group division, and interactive simulations

· Exploring applications for creating digital content, including movie and photo editing tools for STEAM projects

Tailored for both preschool and schoolteachers, the course provides practical insights into innovative teaching methodologies, multimedia usage, and online resources to enhance student engagement and development assessment. Participants will be equipped with competencies in utilizing various ICT tools for effective STEM and STEAM education.

Course Methodology: Our course follows an interactive format, blending didactic, experiential, and interactive elements, including discussions, and individual and team exercises. It emphasizes experiential learning, workshops, lectures, and group discussions. A key component involves simulating real lessons, with participants actively engaging in online distance learning, and stepping into the shoes of students. Simulations are complemented by discussions on diverse training scenarios proposed by participants.

Designed for preschool and schoolteachers, the course offers practical activities for professional development in ICT and multimedia creation.

Key features are:

1. Sharing: Participants exchange experiences and expertise, promoting mutual learning.

2. Collaborative Workshops: Engaging in group activities to develop learning scenarios and pedagogical plans for their educational settings. The multinational training team, experienced in designing educational materials and conducting Erasmus+ KA1 and KA2 projects, leads the course.

Validation:

The course participants will receive:

· Certificate of participation.

· Europass mobility document.

· Learning Agreement and Learning Agreement compliment.

· Declaration of attendance.

Accommodation and Meals: The course provider manages the accommodation booking for participants through a partnered travel agency, ensuring a group rate. The course and accommodations are both located at the same hotel. Participants have the flexibility to book their flights independently, or the travel agency can assist in finding the best options.

Upon course registration, participants will receive comprehensive details. The Erasmus+ grant covers expenses for accommodation, meals, and cultural programs.

Contact and Registration: If you have applied by the 2024 deadline or have already RECEIVED a grant, feel free to reach out to us via email at hello@edufox.eu. Our team will promptly contact you to provide assistance and further details.

Sessions, Venue, and Pre-Registration:

Course 1/2024

· Date: 18.08 – 24.08.2024

· Location: Kuressaare, Saaremaa island, Estonia

Course 2/2024

· Date: 27.10 – 03.11.2024

· Location: Larnaca, Cyprus

Course Fee:

· Duration: 7 days

· Tuition and Materials Fee: 560 euros (Covered by the grant at 80 euros per day)

After registering for the course and receiving confirmation, you will receive an email with detailed information regarding the fee for accommodation and meals.

NOTE! Primary school teachers, trainers, school managers, pedagogical advisers, and other educational organization staff are eligible for an Erasmus+ grant covering all costs, including travel, accommodation, daily subsistence, cultural activities, and all fees. The training course is fully funded by the Erasmus+ program.

Billing Procedure:

· Approximately 3 months before the start of each course, edufox. will email bills to participants.

· Bills will be sent to the school or institution's contact person, with the billing address being the school/institution's address. The participant's name will be mentioned on the bill.

· All billing-related correspondence will be conducted by the school's contact person.

· Bills can be settled by individual teachers or the school. It is essential to include the reference number(s) when making payments.

NOTE! If a participant cancels their enrolment after payment, edufox. will charge transaction costs for reimbursement. Cancellations are possible up to 3 months before the training.

If your school/institution has a VAT number and you wish to include it on the bill, please provide it to us.

Main Organizers and Trainers: edufox., based in Estonia, stands as a catalyst for educational transformation. Our mission is to work with both teachers and youths. We provide Erasmus+ structured courses for teachers and connect local youth and educational workers to the wider stage through intermediating international programs, and collaborating with initiatives like Erasmus, Interreg, etc. Committed to providing international adult training, we empower home island Saaremaa by fostering global perspectives, enriching lives, and contributing to the community's future.

edufox., formerly recognized as NGO Osilia, was established in 2012. In 2023, the organization underwent a significant transformation in its visual identity, adopting the symbol of an educational fox - embodying qualities of speed, intelligence, and versatility. These attributes align closely with the collective personality traits embraced by our dedicated team.

Main trainer: Margit Düüna

· 20+ years in adult training;

· 20+ years in the education sector:

· Chairman of the board in the Estonian Non-Formal Adult Education Association;

· Member of the Council and Assessment Board for Adult Education, Ministry of Education and Research in Estonia;

· Member of the Advisory Board for the Estonian Quality Agency for Education.

Provisional Programme of the Course:

Day 1

14:00 Informal introduction to the course, getting to know each other

14:30 Icebreakers to raise students' motivation

15:30 Coffee break

16:00 Introduction to STEM and STEAM.

17:00 Reflection session, end of the day

Day 2

09:00 Presentation of schools/participants and their background

11:00 Coffee break

11:30 What is STEM education and What are STEM subjects?

13:00 Lunch break

14:00 STEM teaching methods: The keystones – Project-Based Learning. Problem-Based Learning. Inquiry-Based Learning. Place-based education/learning. Critical thinking

15:00 Coffee break

15:30 ICT tools for class management and how to divide the students in groups.

16:30 Reflection session, end of the day

Day 3

09:00 What is STE(A)M Engineering Design Process and its steps

10:00 Workshop: Create a plan for classroom activity based on STE(A)M Engineering Design Process steps:  Ask; Imagine; Plan; Create; Improve and Share.

11:00 Coffee break

11:30 STE(A)M education in pre-primary and primary level, an integrated approach, based on cross-curricular teaching and learning. Practical examples.

13:00 Lunch break

14:00 Lesson planning for STEM subjects – STEM science method

15:00 Coffee break

15:30 ICT tools for the STE(A)M lesson planning

16:30 Reflection session, end of the day

Day 4

09:00 Workshop: Designing and conducting the lesson plan based on STE(A)M method. Working on the individual task

12:30 Lunch break

14:00 Presentation of the individual tasks. Group discussion

15:30 Coffee break

16:00 Formative assessment in STE(A)M teaching and learning

16:30 Reflection session, end of the day

Day 5

09:00 Workshop: create formative assessment for STEAM lesson– group work how to manage student expectations and to engage them.

10:00 ICT tools for Real-time feedback (Mentimeter and MS Forms)

11:00 Coffee break

11:30 Creating a digital content for lesson based on the STE(A)M approach – Nearpod platform

13:00 Lunch break

14:00 Workshop: Hands-on activity on Nearpod platform

15:30 Coffee break

16:00 Apps for Interactive Simulations for Science and Math - PhET

Individual task on creating a lesson plan and resources for STE(A)M lesson.

17:00 Reflection session, end of the day

Day 6

9:00 How to engage our students with free video discussion app – Flipgrid

10:00 Workshop: Working on individual task to create a topic with Flipgrid

11:00 Coffee break

11:30 STE(A)M and creating digital content - Interactive video on Nearpod

13:00 Lunch break

14:00 Apps for implementing VR in education

16:00 Coffee break

16:30 Reflection session, end of the day

Day 7

9:00 Workshop (outdoor) - The Library, as a place for developing students’ STEM skills

12:30 Lunch break

14:00 Workshop (outdoor) at STEM science center

16:00 Europass Mobility certificates – discussion of knowledge gained, and skills acquired

Discussing possibilities for future cooperation among participants. Delivering of the certificates and the end of the course.