Go to Science Classes
8 September, by Thomas EGLI
Envoyer la page à un ami (cliquez sur le triangle)
A unique location for experimentation and exploration, a science class organized at the Scientific Stay Centre allows for fabulous learning experiences and strengthens the education provided throughout the school year ....
Many recreational and educational activities are proposed, and they are specifically organized in order to immerse students in the core of a research dynamic, contributing to the development of young students from 2 to 7 years and encouraging their curiosity while enabling students aged 7 to 12 years to develop knowledge and concentration, and older (13-15 and 16-18 years) students to develop both rigor and methodology.
In addition, learning in an information rich environment, with materials and various equipment ready for use, permits youngsters to develop autonomy and stimulate their responsibility in order to acquire knowledge and understand concepts. A new motivation is born through confronting varied and fun learning situations.
Finally, beyond knowledge, there is also a scientific culture which young students acquire, and helps facilitate their learning later in life.
But what criteria are there for organizing a science class?
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
3 focus areas
As is well known by many statistics,
Children under 12 years are literally interested in absolutely everything that passes under their noses, provided that it is not boring, long, or tedious. They still are, indeed, very turbulent and need help to focus.
The pre-teens, 13-15 years, like science challenges that allow them to indulge in a passion and satisfy their pleasure of the techniqes until the end of their possibilities. We know the famous example of the computer-crazed kids who are slow arrive to the dinner table, and all countries have known the epic of home electronics (construction of their own radio receiver), chemistry, or even astronautics. To ensure that young people avoided the severe accidents that are possible when working alone in their garage, in the 1950’s many countries created associations to unite these “madmen” in pursuit of the conquest of space ... and thanks to these associations, those children have become among the best engineers on the planet.
Finally, adolescents, aged 16 to 18, appreciate science provided it can solve the major problems of facing humanity: famine, health issues, water, energy. We are talking here, of course, about a small fraction of young people because over time the lack of science education has left on the side of the road many students whose tremendous curiosity has been diverted to other directions.
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
An effort over time
Parents, cultural associations, museums, publishers, and of course, teachers, all have a responsibility to enable children, future citizens of tomorrow’s world, to retain their curiosity before they lose it, due to overly theoretical or daunting teaching, or because of a lack of teaching subjects that keep their attention.
But the downfall today, is the number of students who are moving into scientific careers poses a serious danger to the future of their country and its economy.
If it is common to approach sciences by single experiences or limited to some specific scientific occasions many teachers would be involved in a deeper discovery over the long-term, such as projects spread out over the year concluded by Science Expositions or Classes Sciences long-term which give a favorable rhythm to the school year.
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
Why the Sciences?
The Sciences have always helped to advance humanity. Now more than ever, basic and applied science is closely linked to industrial and technical systems which have formed the basis of the global economy. However, now its economic value and influence are in decline even though the future of entire sectors of industry would benefit greatly from the results of scientific research. Most importantly, efforts could be focused on developing sustainable and beneficial industry that supports humanity in terms of health, not pollution, protects the treasures of biodiversity, and so on. In short, in terms of survival. The main challenge today is not to mistake the goal of research and makes progress only in areas that are “useful”, temporarily leaving “unnecessary” issues to the side. It happens that the subjects fundamental and vital today are the same as those of the curriculum. Therefore, these are subjects that can be addressed in depth by the Science Classes.
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
The role of education in Science
In a world where many aspects of daily life depend on scientific and technological progress, promoting training and education in this area is essential for all nations, not only to achieve sustainable development, but also to create scientifically and technologically literate citizens to ensure genuine democracy ...
Consequently, the growing lack of interest in science and technology among children and youth around the globe is a source of major concern for the Research Ministries in various countries. Indeed, the children of today are the citizens and policy makers of tomorrow.
On the science education and technology pages of its website, UNESCO states “At the beginning of a new century, the fact is: the future of humanity depends more and more science and technology and their applications. Science and technology education is therefore the very heart of progress - even survival - of human society.”
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
Contributions made by Objectif Sciences
Objectif Sciences is an association whose team was created in 1992 in Switzerland and is currently present in many areas of the world. Its mission of education and scientific culture is enriched by enhancement of scientific research and identification of useful solutions to sustainable development. To fulfil this mission, since 2005 Objectif Sciences has implemented a new program Teaching research through conducting research for students as young as 7 years old, whose activities are focused around issues of real research. To meet these goals the association is composed of scientists from a wide range of research areas (geologists, archaeologists, chemists, biologists, architects, physicists, engineers ...) who work at Scientific Stay Centres managed by the association , at all times of the year (holidays, classes discoveries, symposia and seminars ...).
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
Benefits for schools
What is particularly interesting about this dynamic is that the technical conferences held regularly throughout the year, research, and teaching conducted by our educators, help to greatly improve the effectiveness, pertinence and enjoyability of the stays organized for your students.
At the same time the students have as much or even more fun than being at sports camp, as they learn impressive concepts for their age. And yet nothing is more normal than what they have discovered through practice and with pleasure!
Each year there are dozens of scientists who focus on the content and form of the programs that are available through our association.
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
What format for how long ...
Depending on your situation and goal, there are several options available:
Nature Class : sharply focused on the discovery of the environment, Nature Class can discover many concepts of your curriculum while focusing on a teaching approach that emphasizes sensory discovery of mother nature and intuitive education in Sustainable Development. A Nature Class may be organized with the theme of volcanoes, the water cycle, marine mammals, forest dwellers ... and is mainly implemented to accommodate students 2 to 15 years of age. Young people aged 16 to 18 and those from urban areas also benefit from this type of sciences class particularly beneficial in their situation of social breakdown.
Discovery Class : star of the series, this type of science class is the one is the most successful. Open to all fields of technology (nature, astronomy, robotics, aeronautics, chemistry, archaeology, ancient cultures ...), Discovery Class offers a framework of practice, challenge and rigour to introduce the teaching of a part of your curriculum, for example, to make particular subjects come alive for students or to conclude your course by a veritable grande finale. Again, the duration can range from 5 to 10 days which take place entirely on the same topic organized on the basis of the Education Project. Of course students are also aware of the respect for the environment, whatever the topic of stay, since many sporting activities are proposed and that our Scientific Stay Centre are always voluntarily, “low environmental impact.” The Discovery Classes are held at throughout the year and for all age groups.
Transplanted Class : You want to take advantage being in the heart of breathtaking nature to calmly share with your students a quality education over a longer term? Here is the Rolls Royce of the series; Transplanted Class allows you to continue to give your current language, mathematics, history, geography, and sports course while a particular emphasis is given to science education. Ineffective over a period of only one week which is the favourable length of time for Discovery Classes, Transplanted Class works miracles over two or three weeks. Your students will not only carry out a high-level scientific project fully adapted to their ability, they will also be able to address all other areas of your class through the same project. For example, the writing of a press release on the subject of their in-progress scientific project will also teach the students grammar and spelling with an increased attention from them. The need to collect samples in the field will allow students to arrive by bicycle or by canoe but if the samples are at the top of a tree, then this will be an opportunity for your students to learn how to climb a tree safely. Finally, the need to understand the challenges of carrying-out a scientific project will teach various concepts in geography, history, etc... and, on the other hand, You will find your students particularly attentive during the sections of your courses in mathematics, chemistry or physics which they normally find difficult, as you enjoy a new way to address the concepts they need to complete their current project.
Field Trips: Universities and secondary school will be particularly interested in the opportunity to go on various guided tours (marine mammals, volcanoes, astronomical observatory, forest ...) while having direct access to the rich and useful infrastructure provided by the Scientific Stay Centre. Lasting a period of 1 to 5 days this field trip is, in most cases, particularly intensive and requires advance preparation of the students in order to maximize the limited time allotted to them at the Centre.
This ensemble of different approaches to Sciences Class help your students to communicate their work through final presentations held on the spot and once back in class.
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
The world in your hands
Through the network provided by the Scientific Stay Centre and the NPO Objectif Sciences, you can decide to hold your Science Class in your own country or abroad. Not requiring much more than preparing a “domestic” Science Class, conducting a Science Class abroad you will give your students the chance to have an extraordinary experience unlike any other, and this is available for all ages: 13-18 years in Kyrgyzstan in the footsteps of the Snow Leopard, 6-12 years in Japan hosted by families of Japanese students of the same age to discover geothermal energy, or in an Inuit village in northern Quebec learning the ancestral techniques of animal tracking ... the possibilities are endless.
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
Educational Camp Specialists
Today, teachers and parents who truly wish to make an effect on students know that they must take the time to act over the long term.
Aided by our team, you’ll find financing that will allow you to go beyond mere one day experience. A minimum of 5 days and up to 10 or 15 days, your Science Classes will be a real educational, scientific and social success.
| Consult the catalogue of science classes on this link |
|---|
Faites connaître cette page à vos amis :
Poster un message ou une question
