New Perspectives in Science Education
A Cross Curricular Approach towards a School Science Festival
Domenico Bracciodieta, Liceo Scientifico Leonardo da Vinci - Cassano delle Murge (Italy)
Abstract
When students feel they are protagonists of their own learning, results can be amazing! The experience of a one-week science festival held within the spaces of a high school – Liceo Scientifico – has led the educational staff to make up a methodology that INDIRE, on account of the Italian Ministry of Education, has called OLED 'Oltre le Discipline' – A Cross Curricular Approach, based on the development of learning skills connected to the main categories of the scientific method.
By blending cooperative learning techniques with inquiry learning principles around Project Based Learning paths, at the beginning of each school year an 'umbrella' theme is chosen to be transformed into Learning Units aimed at combining such different school subjects as Physics, Latin, Chemistry, Italian, English, Biology, Maths and History or Philosophy that materialize into a lab, a multimedia presentation, posters, online websites etc. that are shown during the science festival week.
Students choose the kind of 'cultural product' to be accomplished, manage their time and their resources and find the best possible form of presentation by making use of the latest digital technology, addressing other students coming from nearby high schools or even pupils attending primary or junior high schools. Talks and conferences of renowned scientists and experts on the theme chosen keep the attention of students and common citizens high. Motivation is palpable both during the phases of the preparation and throughout the whole event: the main aim is to foster a 'scientific citizenship' and consequently a growing interest in scientific issues applied to everyday life.
The festival is named Cassanoscienza from the town of Cassano delle Murge near Bari where it is held. Past titles of the festivals were: Bodies, Metamorphoses, Colors, Forms of Life, Reality and Conscience. 'Appearances' will be the title of the next festival in April 2020.
Keywords: project based learning; scientific skills; inquiry learning; cooperative approach; science festival.
References:
[1] Fran Zimmerman, English for Science, 1989
[2] Sharan S., Handbook of Cooperative Learning Methods, 1994
[3] Mueller M. E., Great Research Projects step by step, 2000
