EDUSCIENCE PROJECT – EFFECTIVE WAY OF TEACHING

NATURAL SCIENCES AT POLISH SCHOOLS

Agata GoździkInstitute of Geophysics Polish Academy of Sciences

Księcia Janusza 64, Warsaw, Poland

a.gozdzik@igf.edu.pl

Project is conducted by:

THE PROJECT IS CO-FINANCED FROM EUROPEAN UNION FUNDS

UNDER THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND

„Human – best investment”

IntroductionIntroduction

Lessons at Polish schools are generally not innovative,

conducted traditionally, often without individual approach to

pupils and their interests and talents.

Ministry Report

PROBLEM:

- difference between study programmes and specializations

and the real needs of the existing industries and the market;

-shortage of qualified graduates in science;

-education focused on external examinations;

Why Eduscience?Why Eduscience?

– teachers comunicating facts rather than skills

Teaching skills

Teaching facts

Learning to:

•Be curious

•Be persistent

•Research

•Experiment

•Analyse

•Work in teams

•Reflect

IntroductionIntroduction

Eduscience project:-new methodology of teaching concerning multiple

intelligences approach

-usage of IT

-research passion of scientists

of Polish Academy of Sciences

THE PROJECT IS CO-FINANCED FROM EUROPEAN UNION

FUNDS UNDER THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND

„Human – best investment”

Aim of the projectAim of the project

Rising the interest in mathematical-natural sciences

E-learning platform

Eduscience productEduscience product

On-line lessons

Test with gamesInteractive

materials

Call the scientist

Films and

animations

Transmissions of

experiments

Teaching

methodology

Where we operate? Where we operate?

–– 5 geophysical observatories5 geophysical observatories

–– astrogeodynamic observatoryastrogeodynamic observatory

–– Geological Museum in Cracow Geological Museum in Cracow

–– Institute of Oceanology PAS and research Institute of Oceanology PAS and research

vessel vessel „„OceaniaOceania””

–– SchoolSchool--research vessel research vessel „„Horyzont IIHoryzont II””

•• Polish Polar Station on SpitsbergenPolish Polar Station on Spitsbergen

Where else?Where else?

Science Festivals

•• Science FestivalsScience Festivals

•• Eduscience picnicsEduscience picnics

•• Didactic excursionsDidactic excursions

Additional atractionsAdditional atractions

Methodology

Evaluation – 2011CAWI – 17 question-questionaire for 175 teachers (all levels of

education)

Aim: to diagnose the state in the field of teaching mathematics

and science before implementation of Eduscience

Evaluation – 2013-40 IDI - with teachers and students,

-8 Focus group interviews with teachers and students

-CAWI with studentsAim: measuring the level of implementation of the main and specific

objectives of the project; better understanding of the problem of low

interest in mathematics and science among pupils

Results

Major conclusions 2011:

•Holistic approach towards the process of learning and

application of modern facilities and special equipment have a

significant impact on students' interest in mathematics and

natural sciences.

•Teachers providing passive classes; no contact with a real

science; student remains just a passive observer;

•Skills in synthetic and analytical thinking among male and

female students differ and are generally low.

•Availability of interactive materials that could increase the

attractiveness of a course or class has been rated as

unsatisfactory.

Results

Major conclusions 2013:

•Most of young students perceive mathematics and science as

difficult and tiresome rather than interesting and worth attention.

•Disparities in the perception of mathematics and science between

primary and the following stages of education (interest and

understanding of mathematics and natural science subjects

suddenly declines).

•Young children are keen to explore new ideas and facts, they are

vividly interested in mathematics and science. They learn with all

their senses; they learn something concrete – not abstract.

•children often lose interest in mathematics and science mainly due

to the early failures (mathematics!)

Results

Why interested in mathematics and science?

-logic and simplicity,

-personal interests or career/educational plans,

-no requirement to study “by heart”,

-opportunity to experience something personally (experiments)

-usefulness in life

Conclusions

At Eduscience schools:

-Increase in the usage of film and audio files and multimedia

presentations

-school trips

-work in groups

-plays and games (probably usage

of e-learning platform)

THE PROJECT IS CO-FINANCED FROM EUROPEAN UNION FUNDS UNDER THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND

„Human – best investment”

If we teach today as we taught yesterday,

we rob our children of tomorrow

John Dewey

Thank you