An international partnership led by Robotikos mokykla is starting to implement an Erasmus+ Strategic partnerships for school education project THINK INSIDE THE BOX! A METHODOLOGICAL STEAM TOOLKIT FOR SCHOOLS“ (grant agreement No 2020-1-LT01-KA201-077987). Project will last two years, from 01.10.2020 to 30.09.2022.   

The project aims to tackle the problem of insufficient competence among teachers to implement student-centered teaching strategies and low interest among pupils in STEAM subjects. 

The consortium has set a goal to stimulate the mindset of an inventor among pupils and to develop teachers’ confidences in delivering STEAM activities by offering an innovative Think Inside The Box methodology to respond to the lack of interest and skill level in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

The objectives of the project are to:

1. Develop a methodology toolkit Think Inside The Box for a practical technological event where pupils learn, build, program and innovate with the guidance of their teachers.
2. Provide competence development for teachers, as key actors in the implementation and sustainability of STEAM education in partner organisations and local/regional schools.   
3. Engage elementary and secondary pupils in exciting technological activities in their school.
4. Disseminate the project’s intellectual outputs across general and other educational sectors in and outside of partner countries

Methodology of the project:

The methodological toolkit will focus on a practical technological event for 5th-8th and 9th-12th grade pupils. Working in teams, pupils will create Rube Goldberg machines inside given boxes, using micro:bit controllers, 3D printed objects and other selected details. To ensure pupils‘ motivation, involvement and development of inventor skills, innovative teaching strategies, such as PBL (Problem-Based Learning), IBSE (Inquiry-Based Science Education), Engineering, etc. will be used.

The activities will lead to the following results:

–              A concise Think Inside The Box methodological toolkit for teachers to implement maker activities.

–              Research report about the development of skills and interests of target group pupils and teachers.

–              At least 20 teachers and 300 target group pupils involved in methodology testing activities at partner organisations.

–              At least 50 teachers and 500 target group pupils from non-partner organisations involved in methodology testing activities.

–              At least 90 learners, educators, policy makers, industry representatives involved in multiplier events in 3 partner countries.

PARTNER CONSORTIUM

The partnership comprises 5 organisations from 3 countries, representing formal and non-formal education sectors.

1. Robotikos mokykla (School of Robotics), Lithuania – project coordinator;
2. Vilniaus Gedimino technikos universiteto inžinerijos licėjus (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Engineering Lyceum), Lithuania;
3. Panevėžio švietimo centras (Panevėžys Education Center, department RoboLabas), Lithuania;
4. Kuressaare Gümnaasium (Kuressaare Gymnasium), Estonia;
5. Colegiul Tehnic “Gheorghe Asachi” Botosani (Gheorghe Asachi Technical College Botosani), Romania.