Learn GREEN - Оutdoor STEM

This project aimed to promote innovative ways of teaching STEM outdoors in particular to girls and underprivileged children aged 8-16. The rationale was that the target group is underrepresented in STEM occupations and with the project we aimed to motivate them to consider STEM-oriented careers. Recent studies have shown that children are better susceptible to STEM subjects, therefore we wanted to enhance their curiosity with the possibilities that STEM offers. At the same time, we aimed at bridging the gap between digital technologies with real nature by designing and implementing combined STEM activities: online and outdoors. As a result, students got equipped with skills for solving real complex problems required in today’s world. Another known problem that children face is the application of theoretical knowledge in nature. To overcome such problems, the project aimed to define difficult theoretical tasks and offer various implementations of the theory in the natural world. Through using a guided mobile application, using gamification elements for motivation, students were able to easily understand the connection between theory and practice.

The project had four objectives. 1. Creation of outdoor possibilities or trails, for schools and their pupils to engage in collaborative activities for practicing STEM knowledge by using digital tools but outside of traditional school settings. 2. Bridging the gap between theory and practice by introducing educational experiences and interdisciplinary approaches to solving real-life challenges. Tasking pupils with real-life challenges will help them understand the relevance of STEM knowledge in daily activities. 3. Flexible and inclusive e-toolkit. The developed e-toolkit offers teachers and students a description of various possibilities for practicing STEM in nature. It consists of e-materials and a freely accessible mobile app that helps in discovering activities and outdoor STEM trails for different pupils’ ages and interests. 4. Increase the motivation of girls and underprivileged children to engage in STEM activities.

Each partner developed two trails, or ten altogether, with STEM activities on each of the trails. All partners developed a GREEN&STEM e-toolkit with a description of all activities and trails for three age groups: 8-10, 11-13, 14-16 years old students. The e-toolkit is an easy-to-use and ready digital collection for outdoor science and STEM activities, with a specific focus on girls and underserved communities. The GREEN&STEM e-toolkit was a basis for developing a mobile app by FIS. We created a handbook with generalization of such activities that may be used by other schools in the future. We created a project webpage (by FIS), a Facebook page, and a YouTube Channel (by SIM) and organize multiplier events for the promotion of the project results.

Established ten trails with STEM activities. Preparation of an e-toolkit GREEN&STEM and a mobile application GREEN&STEM. Preparation of a handbook with STEM activities. Organized three learning, teaching, and training activities in the partner schools in Slovenia, Spain, and North Macedonia. Organization of three multiplier events for the promotion of the project activities, one in each country. Established project webpage, a YouTube channel, and a Facebook page.