Description
The project addresses the need to present new knowledge more creatively at school in Varna City. The project aims at introducing different professions to children via thematic schools and the learning through experiencing approach. First, 80 children aged 8-13 will be selected (20 2nd-graders, 20 3rd-graders, 20 4th-graders and 20 5-6nd-graders). Second, 6 schools will be set up: Brilliant Mind, Fairy Tales, Travelling with a Suitcase, Express Yourself, Game on, Let me Draw you. The children will have classes twice per week for 8 weeks. Next, children will help select, develop and present a project with the help of volunteers. Finally, the students will be provided with certificates of completed education. The project will benefit the children involved, their families, teachers, the school staff and the public in general.
Summary of project results
The project was necessary to present to children from early school age various occupations and their benefits in an interesting and less conventional way. 6 thematic education schools were set up representing 4 of the selected occupations. Learning in these schools was in the form of informal education or experiential learning. Such learning makes it possible to acquire various new skills and knowledge without the use of the conventional teaching approach of the classroom. After the activities finished, each child chose his/her own occupation and presented his/her own individual project. The 84 pupils who took part in the project improved their social knowledge of the professions in question, raised their preparedness and adaptability to meet adequately the current requirements for professional orientation with a view to becoming future competitive and competent specialists in each of the professional areas in question. The training sessions on key social skills included solving cases from school life and the local community life. The representatives of the target group managed to apply the solutions appropriate for the situations. Materika Foundation will continue its work to inform and train people from the target groups in the specialties (occupations) underlying the project. The 6 training programmes developed and sets with adapted materials will be accessible to all stakeholders. The partnerships and arrangements that were established during the project implementation and the strengthened links will further ensure the sustainability of the project and continue its impact. The main project beneficiaries were 84 children from Varna schools aged 8-12. 19 volunteers (parents and students) were involved in the activities.
Summary of bilateral results