ECOSTEAM - Cooperation to improve ECOlogical behaviors through IBL and STEAM methodology

<< Background >>The project supports schools in tackling water, energy, waste, and urban mobility issues through collaboration with external stakeholders, focusing on climate change and sustainability. Utilities often engage with schools to share knowledge and promote best practices. The project developed a methodology to help schools integrate stakeholders' educational input into STEAM subjects by interdisciplinary lesson plans and engaging student activities. The project developed an interdisciplinary teaching methodology based on PBL in which stakeholders bring technological innovations and best management practices to schools at local and global levels. The methodology addresses STEAM through real-life contexts, and students, at the end of the course, express themselves through civic journalism. Civic journalism stimulates critical thinking and strengthens young people's belief in their ability to contribute to innovation in daily best practices for environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. The project implemented concrete dissemination activities through local events, contest for students, and international conferences that foster collaboration between schools and stakeholders.<< Objectives >>The core priority of the ECOSTEAM project is to bring concepts and European/global policies on the environment, in relation to water/waste/energy/ urban mobility, and the fight against climate change closer to students and fosters the collaboration between schools and Utilities. Educational resources developed in the project instil a change in behaviours, increasing the engagement of students encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and problem-solving attitudes related to sustainability. The smart solutions created by the students using PBL, civic engagement and creative communication promoted by ECOSTEAM engage students in relevant, stimulating and effective learning as future agents of active citizenship and policy making.The project developed a learning methodology and didactic tools for secondary school education, adopting the integrated scientific subjects STEAM approach to awaken the students’ curiosity about sustainable development and climate change through Science and Civic Journalism. The methodology deals with water, waste, energy and urban mobility supporting the curricular teaching. The teaching materials produced by the project include innovative learning methodology and replicable Learning Plans and Learning Units.<< Implementation >>Partners following the proposal completed all planned activities: -Partners identified stakeholders who were invited in project’s actions.- Surveys to schools and stakeholders provid information on experience, interest, and attitudes on project's topics- Teaching materials selected from the web, described and organized into an online library. -A innovative learning methodology, rich in pedagogical and scientific contents, was developed. - 12 Learning Units based on ECOSTEAM methodology were created and tested. -a training course for teachers and related toolkit available on the ECOSTEAM website- the piloting of the LUs at schools - a standard Learning Plan and 3 practical examples from schools on how to apply the Learning Unit in class interdisciplinary and with the support of stakeholders. -an interactive digital handbook, a step by step guidance with all the needed tools to apply the methodology -Videos and contents were created and broadcasted on radio, TV and social media. -A manifesto was created to promote connection between STEAM and sustainability -During the ongoing of the project diffusion activities through national events, one international contest and international conference with published proceedings.<< Results >>The concrete outputs of the project are:-a Summary Report of the surveys for schools and stakeholders, available in 4 languages (EN, IT, HR, EL) -ECOSTEAM Methodology guidelines in EN, IT, HR, EL-12 Learning units, 3 units for each them (water, waste, energy, urban mobility) in EN, IT, HR, EL-The ECSOTEAM Learning plan in EN, IT, HR, EL-The training course toolkit for teachers to allow the application of the methodology-3 national surveys report on the efficacy of the methodology, one summary report and the key reports in EN, IT, HR, EL to describe the effectiveness and potentiality of the methodology-The handbook, easy to use digital pdf, contains all the didactic tools in a step by step pathway in EN, IT, HR, EL-The videos and the slogan to broadcast the project results in EN, IT, HR, EL-The ECOSTEAM manifesto for schools in the 4 languages to increase the interest of teachers and students in the project topics and STEAM-The conference speakers’ presentations and the proceedings -The contest and the outcomes videos and articles from the students that stimulate in active citizenship -the Project Management Plan and Dissemination Plan to manage the ongoing of the project and diffusion campaign