The main focus of this course is to explore practical experiments that demonstrate challenging concepts of biology, chemistry, and physics that affect our everyday lives.

These will include: how do aeroplanes fly, how is electricity made, and how many fruits are berries?

Get hands on with these practical experiment ideas and witness their real life implications by visiting sites of power and subterranean wonder, from great dams to limestone caverns.

You will also be able to collaborate with others on how to better deliver experiment-based science into your classrooms in the collaborative environment where experiences are mixed and shared.

Experimentation is at the heart of science and should be at its teaching. Whether you are curious, need an introduction, or a bit of brushing up on your experiments, this is the course for you!

Activity Level: This course will involve some walking, but accommodations can be made for any mobility issues.

Location: Hotel Golf Mar, Praia de Porto Novo.

Course Fee: 2500 euros for individual bookings and 200 euros for bookings of 3 or more participants- fee includes instruction, administration, refreshments, materials and certificate of attendance. Do bring your own laptop or tablet.

Subsistence Fee (if selecting full package): 500 euros - fee includes the hotel stay, meals, transportation from/to the Airport/ Hotel and different locations we will visit as well as activity tickets.

Target Group: Schools and other organisations that aim to support students in developing their love for science and actively engaging with the learning of scientific knowledge and methodologies. Schools that are hoping to develop their outreach to students in disadvantaged positions such as lower social-economic backgrounds as well as gender and racial disparities. Schools that hope to help their students to gain key skills that will solidly prepare them for adult life such as empathy, resilience, creativity, critical thinking, computational thinking, leadership, teamwork, communication, initiative, problem-solving & many more.

Aims: 

Participants will learn how to create materials and implement Engaging Science Lessons, Experiments & Projects

Participants will learn how to appropriately integrate science into  STEAM themed PBL activities

Participants will learn how to make the best use of different spaces, materials and equipment in the development of activities, lessons and projects that stimulate students' desire for knowledge of science topics and how these relate to the world they live in.

Participants will learn how to seamlessly utilise Outdoor Learning into Effective and Engaging Science Learning

Participants will learn how to integrate active learning methodologies into their concrete educational setting and practice.

Methodology: We will be learning by looking at and participating in concrete learning scenarios that will fully immerse us in Engaging Science Education as well as create materials that can be used in our own educational setting. We will be taking part in indoor and outdoor activities in different locations such as: Praia de Porto Novo, Dinoparque and Mafra (Tapada de Mafra).

Outcomes: The participants will return to their organisation with the necessary skills to successfully improve engagement in their science lessons and projects. Support will be given via email/video chat if needed to support initial implementation.

Trainers:

Laura Marques holds a First Class Honours Bachelor Degree in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, a Postgraduate Degree in  Education from the University of Cumbria and a Masters in Education and Digital Technologies from the University of Lisbon with several published articles in the areas of assessment for learning and the use of digital tools in education. She is a fully Qualified Teacher in the United Kingdom and Portugal. She has 10 years teaching experience primarily in ICT and Computer Science, but has also taught Citizenship, Maths, Science, Music, Religious Education, Languages and Business Studies. She has experience teaching Primary, Secondary, Vocational, Adult and Further Education. She also has 3 years experience in the Computer Science Industry.

Andrew Murray holds a Masters Degree in Geology with Paleobiology from the University of Leicester, a Postgraduate Degree in Education from the University of Southampton and a Masters Degree in Geology and Mining from the University of Coimbra. He has 3 years experience as a Early Years, Primary and Special Needs Educator as well as 5 years experience as a palaeontologist and palaeontology educator.