The first Short-term joint staff training event of our project took place in Oriago di Mira between the 27th and 31st of October 2021, hosted by Istituto Comprensivo Statale Adele Zara. Teachers from all schools of our partnership participated in the activities and meetings:
- 100 teachers and 640 students from 4 primary and 2 secondary schools of the Istituto Comprensivo Statale Adele Zara
- Three teachers from the Experimental Elementary School of Florina
- Three teachers from the CEIP Ramón Laporta
- Three teachers from the CEIP Maximiliano Gil Melián
- Two teachers from the Basic Education and Secondary Dr. Ângelo Augusto da Silva
- Two teachers from the Tampereen yliopisto Normaalikoulu, yläkoulu
The aim of this joint training was to explore, compare, and learn about innovative pedagogies for addressing issues linked to climate change, exchange knowledge, and existing practices, and emphasize dialogue and collaboration among participants.
Teachers from Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Finland visited 5 local schools (Scuola Secondaria I° Grado “D. Alighieri”, Scuola Primaria “G. Parini”, Scuola Primaria “De Amicis”, Scuola Primaria “E. Morante”, Scuola Secondaria I° Grado “F. Petrarca”) where they met with local teaching staff, and attended many classes with local students. They were also guided to the school’s labs and infrastructure.
The main joint staff meeting took place at the Scuola Primaria “C.Goldoni”, where various aspects of the project and the cooperation were discussed among the partners. Every partner presented the activities they had done the previous year, how many teachers and students were involved in them, the challenges they faced, and which activities they did not manage to complete.
We discussed the activities we have scheduled to undertake this year and some of the unfinished activities of the previous year. Rescheduling and reordering the remaining activities were a main part of the discussion. The planning for the forthcoming mobility with students in Madeira was extensively discussed due to the COVID-19 situation. We also discussed practices and tools that may help us accomplish a concrete framework of communication and cooperation between our students.
A roundtable discussion was held with the following topics: Creative and engaging ways for introducing pupils to the topic of climate-changing and making it appealing to them, formal and informal lessons that promote science, discovery, and exploration, ways to incorporate and address questions about climate-changing across the range of primary education subjects, methods for teaching science (particularly the topics of natural resources and environmental conservation) through an informed and engaging perspective.
The joint staff training event included many activities in the period of three days:
Wednesday 27th of October
- Arrivals of teachers of all partners.
- All teachers visited Scuola Secondaria I° Grado “D. Alighieri” and attended a concert by the Junior school orchestra.
Thursday 28th of October
- Teachers from the Experimental Elementary School of Florina visited Scuola Secondaria I° Grado “D. Alighieri”, met with local teaching staff, and attended many classes (Spanish, English, German, and Art class). They were also guided by local teachers to see the school’s labs and infrastructure.
- Teachers from the Primary School of Tampere visited Scuola Primaria “G. Parini” met local teaching staff, and attended some classes and labs. They were also guided by colleagues to see the infrastructure of the school and answered some pupils’ questions about their school and their own pupils.
- Teachers from the Primary School of Madeira visited Scuola Primaria “De Amicis” met local teaching staff, and attended some classes and labs. They were also guided by teachers to see the infrastructure of the school and answered some pupils’ questions about their school and their own pupils
- Teachers from the Primary School of Valencia visited Scuola Primaria “E. Morante” met local teaching staff, and attended some classes and labs. They were also guided by teachers to see the infrastructure of the school and answered some pupils’ questions about their school and their own pupils
- Teachers from the Primary School of Tenerife visited Scuola Secondaria I° Grado “F. Petrarca” met local teaching staff, and attended some classes. They were also guided by teachers to see the infrastructure and labs of the school.
Friday 29th of October
The main joint staff meeting took place at the Scuola Primaria “C.Goldoni”, where various aspects of the project and the cooperation were discussed among the partners:
- What we have done so far: Every school presented the activities they had done the previous year, how many teachers and students were involved in them, the challenges they faced, and which activities they did not manage to complete.
- What lies ahead: We discussed the activities that we have scheduled to undertake this year and some of the unfinished activities of the previous year. Rescheduling and reordering the remaining activities was a main part of the discussion.
- Next mobilities: The planning for the forthcoming mobility in Madeira was extensivly discussed.
- Strengthen cooperation and communication: We discussed practices and tools that may help us accomplish a concrete framework of communication and cooperation between our students.
The program also included guided visits to the Doge’s Palace Museum, the Botanic Garden in Padua, and to Cà REZZONICO Museum.
We want to thank our Italian partners for the organization of this short-term joint staff training event and their hospitality. It was a great chance to get to know each other better and strengthen the ties between us! Next stop Madeira!
Results
The most important outcome of our first physical meeting after a year of online activities between our schools was the bonding between us. All partners stated in our discussions the importance of the physical interactions between our staff members and how it contributes to the commitment of everyone to undertake and complete the activities of our project. The training also enriched our pool of activities within a code of practice that purposely addresses questions of climate-changing, the problems connected with it, and how to respect nature and preserve natural habitats. Participants also acknowledged the need to work together in order to make the world a better place for everyone. They added to their pedagogical toolbox practical techniques for engaging young learners in matters of Climate change and Science. Moreover, teachers who participated in the joint training event will share their learning with colleagues once back home and formulate concrete suggestions specific to their school’s needs and curriculum.
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