The IDENTITIES project has been presented in the 6th International Scientific Conference of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (Communication, Information, Awareness and Education in Late Modernity) which took place in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Particularly, the core concepts, key ideas and aspects of innovation of the IDENTITIES project were introduced. Furthermore, the developed O2 and O3 modules were presented in the audience in their present form, as well as the current state and future plans of the project for the coming year. Below we report the abstract of the presentation.
“IDENTITIES” Project: Novel Teaching Approaches to Interdisciplinarity for STEM Teaching.
Argiris Nipyrakis, Athanasia Kokolaki, Demetris Stavrou
Department of Primary Education, University of Crete
The contemporary societal challenges (e.g. climate change, nanotechnology & innovative materials, artificial intelligence, big data) that the young generation has to deal with require new interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, in contrast with the disciplinary boundaries between the S-T-E-M (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) fields that characterize the current educational system. New teaching approaches that will assist students to meaningful integrate knowledge and skills from several disciplines are needed, whilst teacher education programs that will focus on informed epistemological approaches and models of interdisciplinarity, along with exemplary STEM teaching material have to be developed.
Under this prism, the european program IDENTITIES, through a partnership of 5 universities from 4 countries, aims in developing STEM teaching modules for pre-service teacher training both in advanced and curricular topics. In particular, cutting-edge topics, which are intrinsically interdisciplinary, such as: a) Artificial Intelligence, b) Nanotechnology applications, c) Quantum applications, d) Climate change e) Modelling & Social Networks will be analysed based on a disciplinary perspective in regard to the existing discipline knowledge along with an interdisciplinary perspective in regard to epistemological, methodological, argumentative and linguistic aspects. In parallel, interdisciplinary curricular topics, enlightening “border problems” and the dynamic interplay between Mathematics and Physics/Computer Science will be analysed, incorporating historical and epistemological aspects. Hence, STEM teaching modules including courses, hands-on activities, teacher guides and resources will be developed and disseminated online across different european contexts. The modules will be tested and revised through the organization of two international summer schools for preservice teachers of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science.
Outputs of the program will provide guidelines and recommendations for stakeholders for the promotion of interdisciplinary and innovative STEM teacher education and is expected to contribute at national and european level in filling the gap between school and society by promoting an inclusive and sustainable growth of the youth.