Young European Geoexplorer - Improving English connected with natural sciences,geodiversity and cultural heritage

<< Background >>The project GeoExplorer is to improve the quality of geology teaching and learning in schools through an innovative learning approach that links natural science/geoscience and language education through Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) method in cross-curricular collaboration for geology teaching. Besides school partners, partners of the project are part of UNESCO Global Geoparks. Geoparks are tools to conserve and enhance the value of areas of geological significance in Earth history and to promote sustainable development through geo-tourism and education. One of the key aspects of this cooperation is to develop new services in geoparks and new teaching methodology and tools for science and language teachers based on innovative approaches aligned on the needs of school’s system, schools, teachers, Geoparks and guides to offer an attractive new way of science and language education to the pupils. The main Output is the GeoExplorer Toolkit.<< Objectives >>The general objective of the project is to improve the natural science and language teaching process in combination of cross-curriculum activities and new teaching methodologySpecific objectives were: - acquire information about the needs, proposals and improvements in science and language education concerning geology by teachers - study (cross-)curriculums, existing toolkits and materials used in natural science/language teaching of science - ensure high-quality toolbox (GeoExplorer Toolkit) and methodology of science and language teaching designed in collaboration with teachers, experts in the field of science, interpretation of natural heritage and in the field of CLIL - increase the frequency and effectiveness of the cross-curriculum integration in the teaching of science and languages- increase level of competence and confidence for teachers in geology and natural science taching, especially outdoors - increase level in foreign languages for teachers and pupils - enhance education services of UNESCO Geoparks<< Implementation >>The following outputs and activities were implemented: (O = Objective / A = Activity within the objective) - Review of (cross-)curriculums, existing toolkits and materials used in natural science teaching O1-A1| Desk research about curriculums and cross-curriculum in the participating country O1-A2|Two structured questionnaires for natural science teachers and English teachers in schools O1-A3| Focus groups with teachers in partners schools to review the materials, tools and props O1-A4| Preparation of joint document with findings - Young European GeoExplorer toolkit concept and examples O2 - A1 I Geopark Homework – specific geopark information O2 - A2 I UNESCO Global Geopark Homework – general geopark information O2- A3 I Nature Education Homework – specific nature education information O2 – A4 I GeoExplorer Toolkit - Concept paper O2 – A5 I GeoExplorer Toolkit – Production - Young European GeoExplorer cross-curriculum activities and new teaching methodologies implementation (CLIL) O3 – A1 I Crosscurriculum material for pupils O3 – A2 I Guideline for pupils O3 – A3 I Cross-curriculum material for Geoparkmanagement and teachers O3 –A4 I Guideline for teachers and guides O3 – A5 I Cross-curiculum connection - Recommendations for teachers, schools, Geoparks and national education system O4 – A1 I Summary and clarifying recommendation for teachers and schools O4 – A2 I Summary and clarifying recommendation for Geoparks O4 – A3 I Summary and clarifying recommendation for national education systems<< Results >>The project GeoExplorer is to improve the quality of geology teaching and learning in schools through an innovative learning approach that links natural science/geoscience and language education through Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) method in cross-curricular collaboration for geology teaching. The main Output is the GeoExplorer Toolkit (O2). This Toolkit can be used in the classroom or outdoors, e.g. in nature of Geoparks, Four of which were produced as prototypes and are situated at the four partner Geoparks and are ready to be rented by schools. Those are living labs for pupils, as being an innovative learning environment. Output 1 Yielded interesting insights into the education status quo in the four partners countries. Output 3 added CLIL contents to the toolkit with teaching modules. And in Output 4 recomendations for stakeholders were delivered.The project further resulted in cooperation between stakeholders in local communities and abroad (UNESCO Geoparks, schools and project partners schools). The project addressed the following target groups: - UNESCO Global Geoparks* on an international EU and worldwide level - Natureparks, Nationalparks* or other protected areas in Austria, Denmark, Norway and Slovenia - Stakeholders in the educational fields concerning natural science in each partner country - Additional secondary or other schools, their teachers and pupils in each partner country- Secondary or other schools (schools and teachers) in EU using Erasmus + Project Results Platform - National, regional and local authorities within the educational system in Austria, Denmark, Norway or Slovenia - Local communities including pupils and adults involved in the partner schools - Visitors of the partner's Geoparks - Other stakeholders at local, regional and national level who benefit from the results - Press and media - General public *institutions, management and guides