EWaste Learning Paths

<< Background >>The main reason why this project was proposed, and afterwards developed, was related with the observed lack of curriculum integration of relevant STEAM contents related toElectronic Waste and circular economy in teachers activities with students in the classrooms. Also, and while looking at the macro EU policy landscape, we also identified the need to improve school education capacity regarding the development of circular economy and sustainability topics in order to be aligned with the EU Green deal commitment and long term vision. Besides the motivation and needs just mentioned, it is also important also to refer that TransfoLAB BCN and Buinho wanted to give continuation to the exchange of good practices started in the Learning Labs initiative organized by the EU funded project Creative FLIP, and increase the scope of their practices in order to enable real transformation withinschools. While Maltepe school brought us the possibility to engage and embed these innovative practices into the formal education branch, since this school is a rare example of a having a vibrant makerspace within a school.<< Objectives >>The E-Waste project aimed at increasing the awareness about the problem of electronic waste and by developing contents and methodologies for the purpose of enriching schools curriculum, and helping these schools connect it to the makerspace approach in education. More specifically the project aimed at responding to the identified needs by achieving the following goals: 1.Brought the electronic waste issue inside the classroom in a fun, innovative, and meaningful way by designing content, providing workshops, and capacitating teachers;2. Offered two pathways for introducing circular economy and Ewaste in the school curricula. One was to associate teaching robotics, coding, and digital fabrication to the reuse and repair of broken electronic devices, and the 2nd was to teach sustainable design and fabrication through the reuse and upcycling of Ewaste;3. Provided quality and accessible Elearning courses about EWaste and STEAM practices that could be implemented by schools outside the consortium;4. Created awareness of the electronic waste problem through dissemination events and exchange of best practices and know-how.<< Implementation >>The main activities developed locally by each partner consisted in a significant number of workshops, divided by different target groups, and with a special focus on teacher training. The training contents included Toy Hacking, Design thinking, Upcycling, Maker education methodologies, among other subjects relevant for the purpose of the project goals and objectives.Another important output was the efforts brought out by this project and partners to assure in facto spacial transformation within schools to better accommodate these practices. And while Buinho served an important role in helping local schools to adapt to the new LED (Laboratorios de Educação Digital) opportunities, Maltepe included a new Ewaste circuit and repair tools within the existing Makerspace, while TransfoLab operated a similar approach with the partner schools in terms of spaces adequation for the creation of a Library of reclaimed materials.Finally, the main output of the project was the creation and offering of several hours and dozens of comprehensive video tutorials that resulted in a complete E-learning course regarding the use of innovative practices within schools and by use of Electronic waste. Not only the project was able to create such a exte<< Results >>In a nutshell, during this project we were able to provide:1. A repository of Ewaste practical activities and an e-learning course mostly composed of video tutorials and guidelines that is now made available for teachers and other persons interested in these topics.2. We provided pedagogical frameworks and guidelines regarding the use of EWaste in the form of an article, and with the purpose of ensuring a clearer understanding for the teachers of how to implement such an approach in their daily practice and curriculum.3. The implementation of an open-source policy that enables the free access to high-quality education in relevant topics in relevant areas that lack a structured approach.4. Delivered specialized teacher training, consulting, and in classroom activities with students from different schools collaborating with each partner organization.