Comenius Contact Seminar Report

A Comenius contact seminar was conducted within the framework of the 2^nd International Conference of the Comenius “Hands-on Science” network “Science in a Changing Education”. More than 25 participants and promoters gathered together and discussed present and future collaborations and projects, within the actions of Comenius.

More precisely, the actions of Comenius 1, 2 and 3 have been initially presented and discussed with the representative of the Greek National Agency (National Scholarship Foundation, IKY) and two local promoters, one for primary and one for secondary education. Moreover Prof. Costa, the co-ordinator of the Comenius “Hands-on Science” network presented and discussed the experience gained from projects and activities already in progress within this network. Comenius 1 school partnerships, which have already been proposed and/or approved were briefly presented and discussed in the meetings, either by present co-ordinators or by other colleagues. (cf. relevant list below).

1.      Optics: Light and Colour

2.      Scart: Science and Art

3.      Holography: Environment

4.      Robotics: Eurobotice

5.      Robotics: Sports Robots

6.      Robotics: Dance Robots

7.      Solar Energy Awareness & Action (SEAA)

Ideas for new Comenius plans and proposals have also been presented and discussed by members of the network, attending colleagues, teachers and promoters. Each person or group presented their ideas and further discussion followed, as well as expression of interest by other participating colleagues. Thus, five major project areas for proposals have been put forward and thoroughly discussed in the meeting, which has provided foreground for further developments (cf. list below).

1.   Basic electronics built at home

      proposed by Carlos Teixeira and colleagues, carlucci@sapo.pt

2.   Learning Science towards a sustainable development

      proposed by Rui Baptista, ruibaptista@prof.min-edu.pt

3.   Play performances: Science on stage

      proposed by Cristina .M R. Carvalhinho, c.carvalhinho@clix.pt

4.   Science Teaching: A historical approach

      proposed by Carlos Filipe dos Santos Lima, Fillima@portugalmail.pt

      anajoaom@gmail.com

5.   Science and Art in a New Era

      proposed by Patricia Sam Paio and colleagues, patisampaio@gmail.com

Some groups attempted to put down on paper the proposed project ideas and activities in order to formulate a more concise partnership and consortium. All colleagues exchanged e-mail and school addresses in order to continue discussions and project developments in vitro.

Nektarios Tsagliotis