On the 4th of October, a Multiplier Event was carried out of the Erasmus+ Strategic partnership project DEMETER with the support, and cohosting, of the associated partner ENSA in the Veneto Region’s Office in Brussels. The event was expertly moderated by the ENSA coordinator Elena Curtopassi, and also supported by the European Youth Platform and the Odisee University College.
The project and its results were presented by representatives from the partner organisations, led by the long-term ENSA member, the City of Västerås. ENSA members provided added value with reflections and possible future activities, and the attendees involved in interesting discussions and ideas with the project’s participants.
The partnership consisted of four Upper Secondary schools across Europe: Rudbeckianska gymnasiet in Västerås, Sweden, Elekrotechnicka I ekonomska skola in Nova Gradiska, Croatia, Lycée Saint-Exupéry in Blagnac, France and IES Mar de Alborán in Estepona Spain.
The project centered around the theme of the real-life global problem of landmines, raising awareness among students of the problem and its consequences. The students were given the task of studying historical, economic, and technical aspects, human and social effects, as well as the costs of landmines and their countermeasures. The students were also asked to design and develop a remotely controlled vehicle for landmine detection, a so called Mine Detection Rover, in collaboration with other students in the partnership, using advanced technology with advanced IT solutions. The project has permitted students to use ICT and advanced technologies in a creative and collaborative way, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical real-world problem solving. Focusing on a real-world problem has engaged and motivated the students, as well as the educators, with the added value of a strengthened European sense of fellowship.
During this event there were many presentations explaining our educational methodology, how we integrate key competences or the circular economy into our lessons and how we implement thematic learning in our subjects and schools. All this is done with the students as the main character of the learning process.
The DEMETER project has developed materials to promote interdisciplinary co-operation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STE(A)M), Social Sciences and VET. The project has also developed and enhanced Thematic Learning as an educational tool to promote high-quality skills and competences, focusing on creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset among students.
