16.02.2021
The National Program "Building a School STEM Environment" invests in comprehensive integrated solutions for a new school creative environment focused on natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, and technology (STEM), including various elements according to the specific needs of the school and the school community. This includes the renovation of existing spaces, technologies, new teaching methods, new or integrated curriculum, new organization of the educational process, and a supportive environment for students with special educational needs when necessary. The program was presented by Natalia Mihalevska, Director of the Directorate "Education of Bulgarians Abroad" at the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) and Deputy Head of the National Program "Building a School STEM Environment", and the program head Prof. Ognyan Nakov during a National Round Table on the topic "Teaching in STEM - The Role of Teachers in Shaping Young Talents". It was organized on November 12 by the Center for Excellence UNiTe jointly with the Union of Bulgarian Teachers (UBT) and the National Center for Professional Development of Pedagogical Specialists. UNiTe will play an important role in preparing the next generation of students, aiming to ensure that new knowledge created by scientific teams finds its place in the training of students and future teachers. It is necessary to ensure the sustainability of higher education and science in the field of ICT. Therefore, the role of teachers and STEM education is extremely important, commented Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elisaveta Gurova, Director of "Administrative Activities" at UNiTe. In schools, it is necessary to consider how to shape young talents, how to stimulate creativity, logical thinking, and teamwork. It is necessary to think about new teaching methods, including the creative application of ICT in the education of adolescents. Achievements so far in the STEM program. Prof. Ognyan Nakov paid special attention to the opportunities for using robots and various technologies in STEM centers, as well as highlighted the readiness of the MES team to support project teams and teachers in shaping young talents. The final product of the program will be technological centers in schools, which represent an integrated set of laboratories and other educational spaces in schools, creating a culture of innovation among school communities. "The National Program creates "models" in some Bulgarian schools to demonstrate the process of successful investment in a comprehensive idea, including an educational environment, technologies, management, integrated content, qualifications, and teaching methods", stated Mihalevska. 3 modern centers. The future Center for Young Researchers will support creativity and project-based learning in both digital and non-digital environments, and will develop skills for teamwork and various group roles. "Educational spaces can be organized into corners and zones, allowing for a different, flexible curriculum and daily organization, explains Mihalevska. "The environment can include zones for practical work outdoors, zoo corners, robotics stations with age-appropriate tools for students, etc. The new environment also allows and encourages group planning among teachers and joint conduct of lesson units, hours from the full-day organization of the school day, extracurricular activities, as well as activities in partnership with external organizations (museums, libraries, observatories, research centers, etc.)", added the head of the National Program "Building a School STEM Environment" Prof. Nakov. In turn, the Center for Technologies in Creative Industries will provide a technological learning environment for students interested in developing digital and video games, mobile applications, media products, digital marketing, graphics, and design, etc. "The goal is to encourage the development of creative digital skills in a motivating way. Such a center will guide students towards professions related to the creation of video content, video games, and digital tools, digital platforms, and mobile applications, or the development of new products and services in a technological environment, said Prof. Nakov. This includes equipping classrooms with computers and specific software in accordance with the needs of creative industries (for drawing, animation, modeling, editing, montage, 3D design, etc.), creating creative corners and spaces; a video studio and photography equipment, sound recording studio, simulation equipment, virtual and augmented reality", added Mihalevska. The Center for Natural Sciences, Research, and Innovation is the third major project in the program. It will provide students with work on applied projects that solve real business cases and problems, research, experiments, and analyses. "The goal is to use new methodological approaches related to problem-based learning, educational expeditions, cases, simulations, commented Mihalevska. The center provides an environment that can be used in both general education and specialized preparation, as well as in dual tracks in vocational schools for training related to the content and processes of the real working environment in partner companies. The center may contain practical laboratories in traditional natural sciences, as well as more specific environments such as biotechnology laboratories, genetic analyses, pharmaceuticals, elements of food production, etc., according to the needs of the specific school", she added. Small projects for schools These projects will transform and equip smaller-scale physical spaces - one or two classrooms or corners. Although with less funding by size, these projects have the same goals as the larger ones: creating conditions for developing skills related to creativity in digital technologies; experimental work; developing engineering thinking and problem-solving abilities; working on projects and assignments with a practical focus in sciences and technologies. The total value of the project may include a combination of construction and renovation works, furnishing, equipment, teacher training, etc. The school community's own contribution is 10%, which is raised through charity events, donations, campaigns, and business sponsors. The types of small projects are "Research Laboratories" or "Classroom for Creative Digital Creators". Until September 2020 was the stage for applying and selecting candidates for funding. In September 2020, financing contracts were signed, and the projects themselves - the creation of new STEM centers, teacher training, and the creation of new educational content - will be completed by September 2021. "Important parameters for the success of the project are the creation of opportunities for learning through experience of the educational content by students and the organization of the educational process, explains Mihalevska. As well as ensuring structures for professional learning and teacher development, aimed at improved student results and achievements." Activities of the NCPCPS "What is the role of institutions for the continuous qualification of pedagogical specialists", commented Dimitar Asenov, Director of the NCPCPS. Only in the first half of 2020, training was conducted for 172 directors on the topic: "The Role of the Director in Implementing the Competency Approach in the Educational Institution", training was conducted for 238 pedagogical specialists teaching the new curriculum "History and Civilizations" in 10th grade, stated Asenov. At the same time, the NCPCPS itself has been transformed into a digital center for conducting online qualifications through the integration of a functioning online training platform on the center's own server. Only in April and May 2020, 19 webinars were conducted and more than 880 teachers and directors from across the country were trained on topics related to the use of ICT in education. "We have developed an analytical material with empirical information from the feedback received from teachers and directors who participated in the qualification courses of the center", added Asenov. The center has organized training for more than 2300 pedagogical specialists, who will teach the curricula for specialized preparation in 11th and 12th grades from the 2020/2021 academic year. Center specialists have held working meetings with leading NGOs in the field of education, social partners, directors of educational institutions, as well as leading scientists. For the second half of 2020, the NCPCPS plans training for teachers who will teach the new curricula for specialized preparation in 11th and 12th grades from the 2020/2021 academic year. The total target group is 3879 pedagogical specialists from across the country, of whom financing has been secured under the National Program "Qualification" for 2300 pedagogical specialists in the amount of 430,624 BGN. However, additional financing is needed for introductory qualification of another 1579 pedagogical specialists in the amount of 279,098 BGN, explained Asenov. In addition, training continues for teachers who will teach the subject "Civic Education" from the 2020/2021 academic year, with the target group being teachers from the second stage of secondary education. Financing has been secured for 350 pedagogical specialists under the National Program "Qualification" in the amount of 50,000 BGN, and an additional 50,000 BGN will be needed for another 350 pedagogical specialists. In November and December 2020, training for school psychologists and pedagogical counselors is planned, with the total target group being 440 pedagogical specialists from across the country. Overall, in 2019, 681 pedagogical specialists were trained under the National Program "Qualification", while so far in 2020, the total number of pedagogical specialists trained under the National Program "Qualification" is 2529, plus another 882 participants in educational webinars, commented Dimitar Asenov, Director of the NCPCPS.
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Cio.bg, 16.02.2021
