Overview
Tremendous achievements of human space exploration in the past 50 years have, and continue to, inspire the younger generation into science and to wonder about our Solar System in particular. Astronomy provides a highly motivating context for learners to develop observational skills, discover methods of scientific inquiry, and explore some of the fundamental laws of physics and concepts of mathematics in both an attractive and meaningful way.
Teaching astronomy in primary school is always a challenge since primary teachers are often more open to literature or traditional disciplines like history, mathematics, art than to STEM with a practical artistic background. In secondary education, teachers are experts in their own subjects only. The provision of a holistic teaching framework aspires to guide them in implementing meaningful STEAM projects.
Aim & Objectives
Aim
The ARISTARCHUS project aims at building on the Human Orrery, a 3D kinesthetic model of planetary motion in the inner solar system, to engage learners in interdisciplinary and inclusive STEAM activities.
Specific Objectives
- Εxploration of fundamental laws of physics and concepts of mathematics in both an attractive and meaningful way.
- Development of learners’ direct and augmented experience scientific knowledge in STEAM needed to engage in the modern scientific world.
- Improvement of both the learning in an interdisciplinary STEAM context, and the well-being and social-being of the learners.
- Enhancement of the scientific process skills of learners.
Outputs
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Methodological Framework for the Pilots and Guidelines for the Teachers
It will set the methodological framework for the pilot implementations in schools including extensive guidelines for the teachers and the process for assessing the effectiveness. -
Educational Toolkit
It will be a complete and coherent toolkit with ready-to-use material and best practices on how to use the Human Orrery under the umbrella of STEAM in the classroom. -
Augmented Reality Application
It will be a gamified Augmented Reality (AR) application suitable for free use on learners’ smartphones that will improve motivation and conceptual understanding of simple relations in the solar system and physics in general. -
E-Learning Platform and gamified learning modules
It will host gamified games enabling learners to apply their knowledge and experience acquired related to the Human Orrery and other physics concepts as well as support teachers in designing new learning experiences
Methodology
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Methodological Framework for the Pilots and Guidelines for the Teachers
- Provision of a concrete plan with the process to be followed in the piloting including ethics documentation and inclusion strategies.
- Development of appropriate measurement tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the piloting.
- Preparation of two learning activities for the involved educators.
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Educational Toolkit
- Detection of best practices that fits the Human Orrery approach and development of six (6) teaching-learning sessions.
- Realisation of training sessions for educators and workshops for learners aiming to evaluate them and provide feedback for further improvement.
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Augmented Reality Application
- Conduction of Literature review to be used as basis for the development of the application
- Development of the AR application in line with experts’ input.
- Examination of its impact with learners and adaptation to feedback.
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E-Learning Platform and gamified learning modules
- Creation of highly interactive gamified games for learners.
- Serves as a reference point for educators in designing learning experiences.
- Promotion of self-directed learning
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Project Number: 2021-1-FR01-KA220-SCH-000032478