SIMUL - Stimulate Innovative MUltigrade Learning with STEAM Education
01/03/2024 – 31/10/2025 (20 months)
|
N. PP |
NAME |
SHORT NAME |
COUNTRY |
|
LP |
Associazione Lumen APS |
Lumen |
Italy |
|
PP1 |
Istituto Comprensivo Francesco Berti |
Berti School |
Italy |
|
PP2 |
Scoala Gimnaziala "Marcus Aurelius"Creaca |
Marcus Aurelius School |
Romania |
|
PP3 |
European Center of Entrepreneurship Competence & Excellence |
ECECE |
Austria |
|
PP4 |
Odpovědná společnost, z. s. |
ReS |
Czech Republic |
Acronyms
PP: Project Partners LP: Lead Partner
SC: Steering Committee
SCOM: Steering Committee Meetings
MCI: Multigrade Classroom Implementation
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics
The SIMUL project aims to support teachers and students engaged in a Multigrade Classroom Implementation (MCI) to strengthen STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) skills and promote digital literacy and environmental sustainability.
The term "Multigrade Classroom Implementation" (MCI) is used in literature to refer to educational settings related to multigrade or combined classes, where students of different ages and grades are engaged in a single physical class, facing varying levels of complexity in learning.
Although the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) approach has shown positive responses in teaching and learning mathematics and scientific subjects, it can be even more valuable in multigrade contexts, replacing traditional frontal lessons. Learning through the STEAM approach is based on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary methods, recognizing interactions between subjects and the complexity of reality.
SIMUL foresees:
The main target groups involved are:
Teachers from multigrade schools working in rural contexts with limited training opportunities and in need of support to implement innovative and effective teaching methods tailored to their environment. Through SIMUL workshops and guidelines, we aim to provide them with tools to promote STEM disciplines in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner, as well as digital skills through engaging practical experiences that captivate students of different ages, including environmental themes. During the training phase, approximately 20 teachers from the two partner schools (PP1-Berti School and PP2- Marcus Aurelius School) and a Czech school (involved by PP4-ReS) will be trained and then they will test the workshops.
Students aged 6-10 from multigrade schools: Two rural schools with multigrade classes (PP1-Berti School and PP2-Marcus Aurelius School) have been involved in the partnership, and these schools will participate in the testing, along with a third Czech school involved by PP4-ReS. These students require stimulating educational resources, and SIMUL workshops will be designed to effectively activate and engage students of different age groups through practical and interdisciplinary activities. Target: approximately 85 students involved.
SIMUL aims to involve not only individuals but also schools as a whole, families, local communities, administrations, and other stakeholders active in the relevant sectors through awareness-raising, sharing, promotion, and valorization activities included in Activity 4. PPs should reach at least 20.000 people.
LP-Lumen will lead the overall coordination of the project, alongside the PPs. Each PP will appoint a Project Manager and an internal working team, the Steering Commitee will be created, and bi-monthly online meetings will be conducted. LP-Lumen will maintain constant contact with the PPs via email/WhatsApp to coordinate and monitor that everything proceeds as planned. LP-Lumen will prepare a Partnership Agreement and, with the help of the Activity Leaders, an Executive Work Plan. Interim and Final Progress Reports will be prepared by the partnership.
LP-Lumen will guide the financial aspects' management alongside the PPs, prepare guidelines, and templates for reporting. Each PP will appoint a Financial Manager responsible for budget management and related procedures (cost eligibility, correctness of procedures, etc.) and the preparation of the financial documents. LP-Lumen will collect financial documentation.
1.3 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Sustainability
LP-Lumen will conduct structured periodic monitoring using the Monitoring Template that PPs will complete every three months, along with constant contacts, dialogue, and discussion. PPs will also analyze follow-up opportunities and sustainability after the end of funding. Based on the collected data, an evaluation and sustainability report will be drafted.
The analysis, led by the LP-Lumen together with the PPs, will cover best practices and past projects related to SIMUL. A questionnaire designed by the LP-Lumen will be used to gather input for the development of products 2.2 and 2.3 from teachers in multigrade classrooms involved in the testing from PP1-Berti School, PP2-Marcus Aurelius School, Czech school.
The methodology, content, and structure of the SIMUL Toolkit will be defined with the aim of helping in teaching and learning scientific disciplines through the STEAM approach in multigrade classrooms. 8 practical workshops will be designed to engage students of different ages (6-10 years) while simultaneously addressing curricular needs. Each lab will last one hour and will propose cross-cutting content for digital development (5 workshops) and ecological awareness growth (3 workshops). The developed skills for each lab will be explicitly outlined. A Toolkit with clear and simple instructions will be created, translated into national languages by the PPs. PP3-ECECE will handle the layout and graphics of the Toolkit.
LP-Lumen will develop "SIMUL Docere" Guidelines for teaching STEM in multigrade classrooms, focusing on methodologies (e.g., place-based education, cooperative learning, and peer tutoring, etc.) and best practices. The guidelines will provide teachers with useful insights to rethink scientific teaching activities more fruitfully and to learn how to design new STEM activities. PP3-ECECE will handle the layout and graphics of the Toolkit and upload on project website.
After the testing (3.2), the LP-Lumen will administer a questionnaire to the involved teachers from PP1- Berti School, PP2-Marcus Aurelius School and Czech school to gather information on the effectiveness of the Toolkit. Based on the collected data, any necessary modifications will be made, and the Toolkit will be finalized and validated, and made available to everyone on the project's website by PP3-ECECE.
Expected number and profile of participants
Teachers involved: approximately 20 from Italy, Romania and Czech Republic.
LP-Lumen will organize 2 online trainings in English of 2 hours each to introduce the Toolkit and its workshops to teachers from schools involved in the testing (PP1-Berti School, PP2-Marcus Aurelius School, Czech school). For this reason, participating teachers should have a proficiency in English. Subsequently, the trained teachers will, in turn, conduct training in the national language for their colleagues. In total, it is expected to involve 20 teachers from the 3 schools. PP4-ReS will be an important support for Czech teachers involved in the testing. Therefore, some members of its staff will participate in the English training provided by Lumen as learners, enabling them to support language-based training and in-class testing.
Teachers from PP1-Berti School, PP2-Marcus Aurelius School, and the Czech school involved by PP4-ReS will test the workshops with their students (at least 3 workshops per class, ensuring all workshops are tested). In total, approximately 85 students are expected to be involved. The creation of a dedicated space for SIMUL on eTwinning will be evaluated to facilitate exchanges and community building.
LP-Lumen will organize a 2-hour online training in English to illustrate the Guidelines to teachers from schools involved in the testing. Participating teachers should have a proficiency in English (training of trainers), and afterwards, they will provide training in the national language for their colleagues. In total, it is expected to involve 20 teachers. PP4-ReS will be an important support for the Czech school involved in the testing. Therefore, some members of its staff will participate in the English training provided by Lumen as learners, enabling them to support language-based training and in-class testing.
Expected number and profile of participants
Teachers involved: approximately 20 from Italy, Romania and Czech Republic.
Students aged 6-10 involved: approximately 85 from Italy, Romania and Czech Republic.
Under the guidance of PP3-ECECE, the Promotion Coordination will be created, with one representative from each PP participating. PP3-ECECE will prepare the Promotion and Dissemination Plan. PPs will contribute by issuing press releases to share various project phases with traditional and online media outlets, including highlighting the European Erasmus+ funding. Additionally, they will actively promote SIMUL through presentations at events, initiatives, other projects, meetings, informal gatherings, and various occasions. PP3-ECECE will define the project's logo and distinctive graphics.
PP3-ECECE will develop the project's website in 5 languages (English and 4 national languages), containing information about objectives, partners, activities, and produced outputs. The Toolkit and Guidelines in 5 languages will be made available on the website. PP3-ECECE will create SIMUL's Facebook and Instagram pages, consistently updating and generating content. They will also produce an electronic project flyer in 5 languages. All PPs will be involved in supporting social media pages, sharing the project flyer, sending emails to their thematic contacts, posting news on their websites and social media, and sharing information through their newsletters. Schools, active on specific discussion and sharing platforms, will also use these channels to share content and promote project outputs.
In each country, a dissemination event will be organized to share the project with the local community. It will be a moment to share the project results with stakeholders, policymakers, educators, teachers, and local educational agencies. Demonstrative sessions on the project may also be included.
Activity 1 – COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT is coordinated by LP-Lumen. All PPs are involved and contribute to the project management, following the Work Plan, collaborating, communicating, respecting procedures, reporting, providing information required.
Activity 2 – DEVELOPMENT OF TOOLKIT AND GUIDELINES is coordinated by LP-Lumen. All PPs are involved in the preliminary analysis and the development of the Toolkit and Guidelines. Especially PP1- Berti School, PP2-Marcus Aurelius School and PP4-ReS (through the Czech school involved) will provide information through the fulfilment of a questionnaire. After the testing phase (Activity 3), the Toolkit and the Guidelines will be finalized. PP3-ECECE and PP4-ReS will also contribute with innovative methodologies. The partners will also translate Toolkit and Guidelines in their national language. PP3- ECECE will also be responsible for layout, graphics and upload on the project website.
Activity 3 – TRAINING AND TESTING is coordinated by PP2-Marcus Aurelius School. Teachers of PP1-Berti School, PP2-Marcus Aurelius School and the Czech School involved by will participate in the training on the Toolkit and Guidelines conducted in English by LP-Lumen. The trained teachers of PP1-Berti School, PP2-Marcus Aurelius School and the Czech school will, in turn, train their colleagues in their own language. Students from the three schools will be involved in the testing of the workshops (at least 3 per class). LP- Lumen, PP3-ECECE and PP4-ReS will also provide support during the testing with students if necessary. At the end of the process, Lumen will administer post-training questionnaires to teachers to assess the workshops and refine the Toolkit to make it available to everyone in 5 languages on the project website. ACTIVITY 4 – PROMOTION AND DISSEMINATION is coordinated by PP3-ECECE and it will be supported by all the PPs through activities on their communication channels (websites, social media, newsletters), as well as supporting the implementation of SIMUL's social profiles (Facebook/Instagram) and the website with news and photos of activities carried out during the project. PPs will also organize local events in their territory to promote the project to other teachers, schools, and stakeholders (decision-makers, non- formal education agencies, etc.).
Lumen will guide the general management and internal communication of the project. The partners will have to be in constant contact, via email, whatsapp, videocalls, etc. to discuss the project implementation, decide about next steps, provide updates, etc.
A Steering Committee (SC) will be created, with 1 representative for each PP. The meetings of the SC (SCOM) will be every 2 months (unless otherwise decided) and will be online.
The partners will discuss the development and implementation of activities (methodologies, timelines, roles, content, indicators, etc.), financial issues, and administrative-bureaucratic matters. Each Activity will have its own responsible partner organization that will keep the other PPs informed, collect any information and contributions, and monitor that everything proceeds as planned. In case of issues, they will establish contact with the relevant PP and/or have a common discussion during the SC meetings.
A Partnership Agreement will be established between the LP-Lumen and each PP based on the Grant Agreement. LP-Lumen will maintain contact with the Managing Authority and report to all PPs. A common Google Drive space will be created for all PPs to ensure that documents are easily accessible, stored, and editable for effective and fruitful collaboration.
All PPs will involve stakeholders (teachers, students, schools, families, other educational agencies, training institutions, associations dealing with the addressed themes, policy-makers, the general public) through their communication tools: Facebook page, website, newsletters, specific emails, meetings, events, and one-to-one contacts.
Site creat şi administrat de webinc