Schools Study Earthquakes - Pedagogical Framework

The School Study Earthquakes (SSE) project aims to increase students’ interest in scientific processes, influence their awareness of how earthquakes affect their life, as well as assisting them to develop key skills, such as analysis and problem solving skills through the study of seismology. Exploiting the innate curiosity of students about natural phenomena enables lifelong learning. In order to achieve this goal, teacher’s role is significant. Inquiry – based learning (IBL) is an effective method that connects preexisting representations with the accepted scientific knowledge and promotes scientific literacy. Due to the continuous growth of research interest in the improvement of science education through IBL, competences are required from teachers in order to design science lessons. Therefore, the Pedagogical Framework that is a requirement of Intellectual Output 1 (O1) of the present project will serve as a guide in assisting teachers in planning and implementing inquiry lessons and activities within their science classrooms. The framework is built around three components, which are as follows: a) Project-mapping with the school curricula of the national educational systems of the participating countries b) Determining the educational and pedagogical role of the teachers leading the students’ teams involved c) Further sound concepts and tools for the development of additional inquiry based learning scenarios in order to enhance the learning experience of students in the school teams participating The Pedagogical Framework of the SSE project that is presented is flexible, widely applied and offers teachers the main structure for designing learning and evaluation processes for their students.