Description
The project is concerned with vocational education (priority of Polish Ministry of Education). The main objectives of the project is organizing mobilities of students. The final product will include room for future collaboration. The detailed objectives of the project are new educational and cultural experiences; an increase of ecological awareness; increased cooperation between European countries; development of tolerance and adaptative skills of young people. The project is foreseen to result in the followin: an improvement of educational tools and personal and social development of students. The project will be implemented through organisation of mobilities; control of the budget, monitoring and reports. Benefits should include professional and personal development; increased of chances of employment; promotion of renewable sources of energy, and exchange of knowledge between the partners.
Summary of project results
The most important goals of the project included becoming familiar with vocational education provided by the Sande Upper Secondary School, taking part in joint activities and exchanging experiences by teachers from Poland and Norway. No. 1 School Complex in Swarzędz has been involved in European projects for many years. This project, however, was quite unique as the first one carried out in cooperation with a Norwegian educational institution under the STF. Beyond purely substantive elements, the project also included integration activities for students of the partner schools, such as joint language classes and sporting activities. The project resulted in the purchase of a renewable energy system for No. 1 School Complex in Swarzędz. This comprises a set of photovoltaic panels, an inverter and a widescreen display located on the front wall of the school. The display is used to provide information, but also as a teaching aid for students following the renewable energy systems and devices learning track. Apart from the development of students’ vocational skills, the project also enhanced their soft skills, including the ability to work in a group or overcoming stress. Thanks to extensive cultural program, accompanying each of the mobilities, students and teachers became familiar with Norwegian traditions and history, noting with surprise many features that the countries have in common. The experience gained during the project has been taken into account in the designing of the Vocational Education Centre at No. 1 School Complex in Swarzędz, the construction of which started in 2016. Both partner schools have reported increased interest in their educational offers, as more new students have been admitted for their mechanics and mechatronics learning tracks. The most important outcomes and impact of the project: (1) experience exchange in the field of vocational education; (2) a more attractive educational offer in both schools; (3) making Polish students aware of the need to learn foreign languages and of the importance of lifelong learning; (4) establishing direct contacts between Polish and Norwegian students; (5) improved teacher competences and transfer of good practice; (6) enhanced opportunities for Polish students in the labour market.
Summary of bilateral results
The greatest advantage of cooperation with the Sande School was international internships (student mobilities). Placements at the partner school contributed to the development of skills, both vocational and social ones, which should improve our former students’ opportunities in the demanding labour market. The teachers who took part in the mobilities expanded their professional horizons with new experiences gained while staying at the partner institution. This was reflected in the Set of Good Educational Practices, which they created as part of the Teaching Methods for Technical Vocational Subjects. Furthermore, the observation of learning activities at the Norwegian school encouraged the teachers from Swarzędz to increase their use of teamwork during practical classes.