Project
Context & Background
Why we initiated this project
The observatory report published in December 2018 by SCIENTIX, the community for science education in Europe, revealed that the most popular pedagogical approach among STEM subject teachers remains traditional direct instruction. The application of new methods can be a challenge to many teachers. Even if they are motivated to adopt student-centered teaching strategies such as Problem- and Project-Based learning (PBL) and Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE), lack of knowledge, skills and tools hinders their implementation.
Our project addresses this problem, at the same time responding to the needs of pupils to receive engaging and motivating technological experiences at school.
Five partner schools from Lithuania, Estonia and Romania — combining both formal and non-formal education — have joined forces to develop and test the Think Inside the Box! methodology.
The goal
The goal of the project is to stimulate a mindset shift in school education — moving away from traditional instruction toward Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Design Thinking and Engineering methods that genuinely engage students.
By developing a replicable 3-day technological event format — Think Inside the Box! — teams of pupils create models of a Rube Goldberg machine inside a given box, building and programming with their preferred tools. This hands-on experience provides learners with concrete results that can be easily acknowledged and evaluated.
Besides being creative and collaborative, these events also have a responsible and ethical aspect. Participants come together to create a project that is environmentally friendly, unique, and innovative.
Activities of the project
Methodology development
Partner schools jointly developed the Think Inside the Box! methodology — a structured, replicable format for 3-day STEAM events involving Rube Goldberg machine challenges, PBL, Design Thinking and Engineering.
Teacher training
Teachers from all partner countries were trained to organise and facilitate Think Inside the Box! events. Training covered both pedagogical approach and the practical organisation of events.
Testing & multiplier events
The methodology was tested in all partner countries (Lithuania, Estonia, Romania). Multiplier events gathered local teachers, students and policy makers to share results and spread the methodology.