Children of Nature

<< Background >>Our project was conceived with the following goals:To motivate students from the three countries to include the information they know in school subjects;Encourage them to explore each of the STEAM disciplinesCreate opportunities for inquiry, collaboration, and an emphasis on process-based learning to enable students to become 21st-century critical thinkers, generate solutions, and be innovative, and creative.Incorporate creative thinking and visual learning while engaging students in STEAM education and careers;Create new content by integrating STEAM skills into the curriculum while teachers focus on the importance of object-oriented learning and teach STEAM subjects in a different but effective way.Develop a joint project using mathematics and science concepts in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, improve the professional profiles of students, and enable the transfer of information and knowledge between teachers.All three schools benefited from our program and expanded learning opportunities through STEAM methods. This not only encouraged openness to diversity but also broadened students' perspectives and created a positive school environment. << Objectives >>The project aimed to establish optimal methods for everyday school tasks, acquire knowledge, expertise, and insights into nature-inspired STEAM subjects, integrate a European aspect into the school curriculum, and develop new collaborations in the future.Students discovered various aspects, including studying science alongside other STEAM school subjects, crafting figures and creatures using natural materials, designing solar cells, examining plant leaves, cultivating plants in terrariums, constructing bird feeders, crafting sundials, scheduling time-based activities, and developing the 21st-century skills of our students.Activities encompassed constructing basic machines, bridges, and eco-friendly homes using natural resources, designing model airplanes with inspiration from birdwatching, and fabricating solar cells. These endeavors aimed to cultivate problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills among students, nurturing their inclination towards STEAM careers. Furthermore, these initiatives facilitated the development of engineering skills, inspired by nature's mechanisms.Moreover, students practiced writing poetry and employing art techniques, both of which can be influenced by nature.<< Implementation >>Throughout the project duration, the following activities took place: 1. Science inspired by nature (Turkey) Organizing school: Bursa Özel Hazar Ortaokulu2. Art-inspired STEAM skills (Romania)Organizing school: Fundatia Maarif3. Engineering inspired by nature-VIRTUAL MEETING (Turkey)Organizing school: ÖZEL BALAT ÖZGÜN ORTAOKULU4. Nature-connected Technology (Czech Republic)Organizing school: Stredni odborna skola podnikani a obchodu, spol. s r. o.5. Nature-connected mathematics-VIRTUAL MEETING (Romania)Organizing school: Fundatia Maarif<< Results >>Tangible results of LTTA:PresentationsMaterials for workshopsPhotosAttendance sheetsCertificates of participation and Europass documentsEvaluation questionnairesVisual and multimedia content:Photo documentationVideosBrochuresCollections of poemsProject evaluation:Feedback formsCollecting feedback forms to assess participant experience and identify areas for improvement.5. Digital tools and publications:Digital quizzes:Development of digital quizzes covering environmental care, English, mathematics, and STEAM disciplines.Collections of poems6. Online presentation and promotion:Posts on social networks:Erasmus Days presentations and corners:Presentation of project achievements during Erasmus Days and establishment of Erasmus corners.Creation and distribution of promotional materials in paper and digital form.7. Dissemination of information:Project homepage:Final product:eBook: Completion and publication of the final eBook as the culmination of the project effort.Tangible outputs and achievements are in line with the original goals of the project, which are related to language education, cultural exchange, and STEAM disciplines