Under this concept, the CPN has developed a programme designed for teachers whose primary purpose is to create an environment for learning and science discovery in which everyone is welcome to ask questions, explore, experiment and create new knowledge. As the national contact point for the largest European network of science teachers – Scientix, our idea is to connect teachers, their practices and experiences, and to promote STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), new pedagogical approaches, collaboration and project financing through various EU funds.
The program is implemented using the resources and developed practices of several EU projects in which the Center participates: SySTEM 2020, ODDYSEy, CREATIONS, Hypatia and STEM School Label. It is our desire to introduce educators to these projects and invite them to get involved in the activities that are of interest to them. In 2017 and 2018, over 40 events were held within this programme in Belgrade and 20 cities and towns across Serbia.
Find out more at eu.cpn.rs/naucno-obrazovanje-za-odgovorno-drustvo
Scientix is Europe’s largest online community bringing together STEM teachers, as well as numerous decision makers and educators, with a view to supporting these disciplines and new pedagogical approaches. The online platform contains numerous projects by teachers themselves, which represent good practice examples. Among them, there are exceptionally high quality and successful projects involving teachers from Serbia. The main objective of the Center is to increase the number of such projects and teachers from Serbia involved.
The SySTEM2020 project focuses on learning outside of the classroom, primarily in the field of natural science and math. Mapping this type of extracurricular activities across Europe, as well as assessing the number and availability of transdisciplinary programmes are the basis for recommendations to educators in terms of conducting similar programmes. The survey will cover students aged 9 to 20 from 19 countries, with a balanced representation of different geographical and socio-economic status. Minorities and migrant communities will also be involved, providing an active map covering various existing practices in Europe.
STEM School Label is a project designed to accredit schools at European level which approach teaching STEM subjects in an efficient and innovative way, thus significantly contributing to the acquisition of skills and raising the level of competence in this field. The idea of this project is to strengthen collaboration between schools, industry and researchers at the local level, thus facilitating the transition from one stage to another in education.
The main goal of the ODYSSEy project is to help students focused on the natural sciences and technical disciplines improve skills such as argumentation, critical thinking and oral presentation. In addition to the Center for the Promotion of Science, partners in the ODYSSEy project include the Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, the Energy Discovery Science Center in Tallinn, Estonia, and the Institute for the Study of Rhetoric and Communication in Athens, Greece.
The Hypatia project, named after the famous mathematician who lived in the 4th century, aims to attract 13- to 18-year-olds to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a gender-sensitive way. Local experts in the field of gender equality, science or science communication, high school teachers and teenagers who are hesitant about their choice of studies have joined a variety of activities within the Hypatia project.
The goal of the CREATIONS project is to introduce innovative teaching methods in natural sciences and mathematics based on insight learning, using elements of artistic creation. Such an approach provides students with opportunities to understand science through active and creative engagement and collaboration.
