From: Andre.Rombauts@f2206.n293.z2.fidonet.org (Andre Rombauts)
Newsgroups: k12.chat.teacher
Subject: Science across Europe (1) - Info 01/93
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 93 20:59:25 PDT
Organization: FidoNet node 2:293/2206 - Teachers' Forum, Fleron

=== Why Science across Europe?

As the countries of Europe draw closer together both economically
and politically, it is important to raise awareness in students
for one another's societies. Many of the issues they face, such
as energy supply, water quality and acid rain, are of common
concern and related to scientific problems, yet perspectives as
to their causes and resolution are different.

The Science across Europe project aims to:

*    Introduce a European dimension into science education by
     showing different national traditions within a common
     European culture

*    Raise students' awareness of the perspectives and ways of
     life of students in other European countries

*    Provide opportunities to develop communication skills in
     the widest sense, including in languages other than their
     own

*    Provide opportunities for schools in different countries to
     collaborate

*    Highlight issues in science, technology and society.

The idea is simple. Science is an area of the curriculum that is
common to all European countries. Why not use this common ground
to link the students together?

Science across Europe is publishing a series of units on
scientific issues and providing an associated database of
participating schools. The project provides a forum through
which students may exchange facts and opinions with studen in
other countries. Schools from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta,
N.Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Polan Portugal, Scotland,
Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey have already joined the
project.



===== What do the books include?

Each book includes an introduction to the project, with maps,
data and teachers' notes, as well as two examples of the
information exchanged between schools. The student pages are
printed as copyright-waived masters in ten language versions.

Three forms are provided: a registration form, an evaluation form
and an optional form to help make contact with other schools.



===== What is involved?

Once the unit has been purchased registration with the projects
database is free. Teachers are advised to send in the
registration form at once giving the month in which it is planned
to do the work.

Each unit begins with an introduction and then involves the
collecting of information, data and opinions. The results are
combined for the whole class in order to exchange with schools
in other countries. The information is usually sent by mail or
fax, although the work also provides an opportunity for linking
schools by E-mail.

A unit usually takes one or two hours in the classroom and
possibly a homework session to complete the preparatory work and
send off the exchange forms. Another lesson is required later to
discuss the information received from other schools. The material is
designed so that students and teachers need work only in their
own language if they so wish.



===== How will it fit my scheme of work?

The subject matter in each unit has been carefully selected to
link with, but not interfere wilh, existing school curricula. The
level of knowledge and skills required in the units make them
generally suitable for students between 14 and 19 years of age,
although some teachers have also expressed an interest in using
them with younger students.



===== Why register with the project?

When you send in the registration form you will be entered on the
project's database. The project will provide details of schools
in other countries participating in the scheme, and you will be
able to select any of those wishing to exchange information in
the month you have planned and, as far as possible, you will be
able to match your class for age and ability.

If you already have link schools in other countries, you can
involve them too. However, it may prove diff1cult to synchronise
the teaching of topics for exchanges with your link schools and
you will probably wish to include schools from the project's
register as well.



===== What do students think?

Experience in trials has shown that making links with studen
other European countries is highly motivating. The following
quotation is from one of the schools that used Acid rain over
Europe and shows the sort of reaction there might be.

"The unit has proved to be very popular: students are asking if
this 'enrichment' is to be continued next term, and they hope to
produce a spread in the forthcoming college newspaper in which
they will present their findings. The students are excited by the
potential of the liaison with other European schools and
communications with other countries outside the trials is
envisaged."

.]I[. Andre Rombauts


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