CROSSCURRICULAR APPROACHES TO MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCES IN FORMAL AND INFORMAL CONTEXT

Project Summary

The idea for this project came from the realization that the students’ interest in math and sciences declined, which led to their poor results in the graduation exams. Also, people often complain about the gap between what is taught and what is needed in life and so, the students’ motivation for study constantly kept falling. The project wanted to address this sore issue by resorting to an innovative methodology: the cross-curricular approach in the teaching of math and other exact sciences, both in formal and informal contexts, special attention being paid to the development of digital  and EN skills. By studying one particular topic from the perspective of other subjects, always involving ICT based methods, the connection between theory and practice was performed, while motivation and interest levels increased.

Objectives: We wanted to increase the motivation for study and to develop the thinking skills of ~300 students by using cross-curricular approaches and flexible learning pathways; We wanted to foster the EN/mother tongue and IT skills of ~ 700 students and 140 teachers, to contribute to the professional development of at least 140 teachers by enlarging their knowledge and developing their skills in using innovative cross-curricular teaching and managing the project activities. By organizing short-term exchanges for students, we instructed 70 students (10/partn) to become peer-trainers. Other objectives were: to foster the social and leadership skills of the students through the peer education system, to enrich the curriculum with optional courses  through the elaboration and free distribution of the training kit and  through the training sessions, to contribute to the professional development of a large no. of teachers.

There have been 7 partner schools, out of which 3 are high schools providing education in exact sciences and humanistic subjects (EL,HR, RO), 2 are scientific high schools (IT and TR), a vocational high school (PL) and a middle school (SP). The topic of the project was new to all and was a challenge as well as the  opportunity to consolidate the quality of the educational services provided.

The tasks and responsibilities were agreed upon, all partners implemented all the activities, all of them were involved in all the stages of project management, some partners having special responsibilities.

All the project activities facilitated the study of the exact subjects through cross-curricular approaches in order to develop basic and transversal skills. Besides the transnational mobilities, where project issues were discussed, experience was shared and optimum solutions were found, we have envisaged 2 short term exchanges for students (80 students), designed to train the students as peer-trainers. These students have the experience, knowledge and skills to train other students, thus ensuring the sustainability of the project from within. Other activities: creation of the website,the poster, the logo, workshops for students , the e-learning platform, 2 optional syllabus hand books, (online) contests, peer-training activities of students and training sessions for teachers, constant dissemination and evaluation.

We maintained regular communication using the Internet, during the TPMs all problems were discussed, assistance was offered, procedures made, ceaseless monitoring, evaluation and special plans for the project risks.

Results:

1. the training kit (student's book , the teacher’s book , 2 video guides, a test book with key and a booklet with questionnaires for students and teachers.

2. the e-learning platform, in EN, with sections for all the 7 partners;

3. other results: the 2 optional syllabus hand books, the magazines of the contests, selection criteria for all stakeholders, dissemination materials, multimedia presentations, newsletters, diaries, questionnaires, reports, etc.

Through the implementation of the activities, we helped students better understand math and exact

sciences, the results obtained in the graduation exams and other contests being standing proofs, they got a more comprehensive view on the applications of math and exact sciences in life, while the teachers developed professionally through the training sessions organized and through their involvement in all the project activities; moreover, all the students involved in the peer-training activities developed their knowledge and skills in multiple directions. The intellectual outputs being freely distributed, we created tools for the development of a larger category of stakeholders . With the optional courses, where the national curriculum permitted, we enriched our schools' curriculum and we contributed to the institutional development of our schools, also raising their prestige within the local communities.

Project team:

Mr.sc. Edita Klobučar (koordinator), Anton Orzes (koordinator), Zvonimir Knežević, Valter Krajcar, Antonija Pavelić, Martin Potnar, Marijana Musić Mašić