Comenius+Project

** Listen the Stars **
**Sub-programme** - COMENIUS **Action** - COMENIUS Multilateral school partnerships

**D.1. SUMMARY**

Listen the Stars is a COMENIUS Multilateral school partnerships project between teachers and pupils from 5 European countries: Portugal, France, Austria, Romania and Slovenia.

The foundation of the project is Astronomy, a science that easily captures the interest and curiosity of students, and may also be a tool for learning other sciences, such as mathematics and natural sciences. Listen the Stars relies on a study of four astronomical subjects: light pollution, robotic and optical telescopes, star brightness and spectroscopy, and radio telescopes and cosmic particles**.** We begin with the environmental and astronomical problem of light polution (the light emitted into the atmosphere by man), a serious and growing global concern and one of the easiest problems we can address on local levels. Then we will develop classic observations of the sky in visible light with //optical and// //robotic// telescopes ( astronomical drawings, photos and videos).

In the second year of the project attention is paid to analysis of the star brightness and spectroscopy, to study the composition of the stars and the detection of exoplanets. Finally we will conduct a study on interpretation of data obtained by radio telescopes and detectors of cosmic particles, which can cause problems in the telecommunications and electronics. So, besides the observations in the visible light we can  in fact listen the stars!

The others stars we want to listen is our pupils, so the scientific cooperation interaction between teachers and students from different countries will provide the exchange of experiences, scientific and cultural knowledge, and improve the performance in communication and the European dimension.

**D.2. RATIONALE**

This project fills the need for exchange of scientific and cultural experience that was felt during the Hands-On Universe, Europe (EU-HOU) Teacher Resource Agent Training Workshop, held in Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun (Poland)  between 6-9/05/2010, where the partners were present and concluded that such a project is really important.

All partners have worked in the field of Astronomy and closely recognize the lack of knowledge of educational communities in this area. Although Astronomy is part of school curriculum, there are no projects that make a reinforcement of knowledge and students end up forgetting what was learned,  despite the huge educacional legacy from the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA), like the Galileu Teacher Training Program (GTTP). Besides, the European dimension  needs to be developed in the schools.

Our motivation is based on: the importance of partnerships between schools in different European Member States; the integration and participation of all pupils on the school activities, especially those with special needs and from disadvantaged groups; the recognition of Astronomy as a very atractive science; the use of ICT, hands-on and interactive Astronomy tools  from the EU-HOU/IYA/GTTP  in the schools; and the  ability of these tools to help pupils  to understand the Universe and the European science and culture.

**D.3. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY**

- To develop knowledge, understanding and respect for other European languages, cultures, etnological and  geographical features. - To improve communication in foreign language. - To increase participation in lifelong learning and create more future opportunities, especially for young people with special needs and disadvantaged groups. - To promote the integration/respect of pupils with disability, special needs and different sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief. - To help young people acquire basic life-skills and competences in a authentic context, which they need for their personal development, for future employment and for active European citizenship. - To improve the ICT skills. - To develop the international teamwork. - To improve the learning skills in science. - To encourage students to choose careers in science. - To develop knowledge of Astronomy. - To promote the integration in the curriculum of Astronomy. - To diversify the educational methods. - To develop the creativity and innovation.

Our project relies on a study of four astronomical subjects: light pollution, robotic and optical telescopes, star brightness and spectroscopy, and radio telescopes and cosmic particles.

The project will also try to address the following problems: new teaching methods; working in an international team; the fear to have contact to other people especially scientists; comunication in a foreign language; use of ICT; integration/respect of pupils with disability, special needs and different sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief; and the knowledge about others European countries.

The strategies for implementing the project, and to achieve our objectives, go through: the use of Astronomy (a science that easily captures the interest and curiosity of students, and may also be a tool for learning other sciences) to cross language barriers and open up academic subjects; the use of hands-on activities and interactive tools that allow students and teachers to use real astronomical data and make the Universe their laboratory; the use of modern ICT; frequent communication between partners during all stages of the project (teachers and pupils from different schools will share their interests, knowledge of their countries, and work together, at the same time, on the same issues and they will comunicate in english); student motivation for contact with students from other countries and to know their features.

** D.4. RESULTS AND OUTCOMES **
Publication of texts, photos, videos and musics from the participants, schools and countries, in the project and school web sites, Comenius bulletin board and the local newspaper. Publication of the results from the activities and the mobilities.
 * Oct 2011 - June 2013**

 Reduction the ligth polution in the school or town: we will use light detectors, calculate the saved energy and encourage authorities to to replacing lamps and bulbs that waste energy and illuminate the night sky. Contest for the best project logo.
 * Oct 2011 - Jan 2012**

Astronomical drawings, photos and videos using school telescopes and robotic telescopes. Astrophotography exposition and contest for the best Astronomy photo, leaflet or poster.
 * Fev 2012 - June 2012**

 Observation and analysis of stars brightness and their spectrum. Detection of exoplanets. Realization of basic measurements in the history of Astronomy.
 * Oct 2012 - Jan 2013**

Analysis of data from Small Radio Telescopes (European Hands-on Universe project Connecting Classrooms to the Milky Way). Detection of cosmic particles with cosmic detectores. Presentation of famous astronomers from each country.
 * Fev 2013 - June 2013**

Realization of hands-on activities from IYA, EU-HOU and Galileo Teacher Training Program. Knowledge of the past/present/future of the European Astronomy. Elaboration of the Universe Quest passport. Classroom application of the project themes.
 * Oct 2011 - June 2013**

Knowledge of vocabulary in English. Personal contact between teachers and pupils from all schools (intercultural dialogues). Knowledge of the cultural, etnological and geographical specialities of each country. Conferences at school and a project DVD.
 * Oct 2011 - June 2013**

Project continuous evaluation by the pupils and teachers. Elaboration of reports and surveys.
 * Oct 2011 - June 2013**

**D.5. EUROPEAN ADDED VALUE**
We will try to contribute to a more intensive European cooperation,  through the mobilities and the collaborative work between teachers and pupils from 5 European countries,  improving:  the ability of working in an international team; the foreign language skills; the ICT skills; the social skills; the integration/respect of pupils with disability, special needs and different sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief; and the knowledge about the partner countries. Teachers and pupils from different schools will work together, at the same time, on the same issues and they will comunicate in english.

**D.6. IMPACT**

Our project will increase: the students motivation to learn science and Astronomy (learning skills); the knowledge of several Astronomy themes; the use of new methods and integration in the curriculum of Astronomy themes; the creativity and innovation; the teamwork; the foreign language skills; the ICT skills; the social skills; the contact to authorities; the hospitality on the local comunity; the integration/respect of pupils with disability, special needs and different sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief; and the knowledge about the partner countries.

**E.1. RELEVANCE TOWARDS THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME**

To improve the quality and to increase the volume of mobility involving pupils and educational staff in different Member States (COM-OpObj-1) To improve the quality and to increase the volume of partnerships between schools in different Member States, so as to involve at least 3 million pupils in joint educational activities during the period of the programme (COM-OpObj-2) To encourage the learning of modern foreign languages (COM-OpObj-3) To support the development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning (COM-OpObj-4) To enhance the quality and European dimension of teacher training (COM-OpObj-5)

Our project will promote: the international contact between European teachers and pupils from 5 countries; the practice of the english language; the knowledge of the cultural, customs, traditions, historic and geographic characteristics of each country; the integration/respect of pupils with disability, special needs and different sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief ; the multicultural teamwork with people from different countries, as usually happens in science; the use of ICT in the classroom; the motivation to learn more about science, especially Astronomy; the use of active learning by giving students real astronomical data and the tools to analyse it in their own classroom; the scientific research in school and the engagement of our students in the wonders of scientific discovery. The relevance of the project is confirmed by the support of NUCLIO (nuclio.pt) and European Hands-On Universe (www.euhou.net).

**E.2. TOPICS**

Learning about European countries (TOPIC-29) New technologies, ICT (TOPIC-25) Astronomy

**E.3. EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING FIELDS**

New technologies (010i) Foreign language (0109) Astronomy

**E.4. KEY COMPETENCES**

Communication in foreign languages (KC2) Digital competence (KC4) Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology (KC3) Cultural awareness and expression (KC8)

**E.5. HORIZONTAL ISSUES**

Cultural and linguistic diversity (CulDiv) Making provision for learners with special needs, and in particular by helping to promote their integration into mainstream education and training (SpecNeed) Promoting equality between men and women and contributing to combating all forms of discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (Discr) Equal opportunities men and women (Equal)

**F. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION** **F.1. DISTRIBUTION OF TASKS**

All partners will develop the same tasks at the same time. This aproach will permit to control the development of the activitys and compare the results from different partners. All partners must have some competences in Astronomy, ICT and in the use of English. We will ensure the active involvement of all partners in common partnership activities through a constant cooperation and communication between all partners (see F.2.), the participation of pupils in all  phases of the project (see F.3.) and a continuous  evaluation of the activities  (see F.5.).

**F.2. COOPERATION AND COMMUNICATION** Cooperation and communication between participating institutions will be organised through: the project web site (wiki listenthestars.wikispaces.com), where the development of the activities must be published with regularity; ePal between all participants (messaging by videoconferences, chat, email, wiki or other site like www.epals.com); and presential meetings. There will be one teacher and one student coordinator in each school to promote the work team and the effective cooperation and communication.

**F.3. PARTICIPANTS' INVOLVEMENT**

The pupils will participate in all  phases of the project and develop materials to be applied during the activities. Each material will be used by all partners to achieve continuous  evaluation and improvement. Existing resources, such as tools of the International Year of Astronomy (www.astronomy2009.org), European Hands-On Universe (www.euhou.net), the Galileo Teacher Training Program (www.site.galileoteachers.org), and the Dark Skies Ranger Program (www.darkskiesawareness.org/DarkSkiesRangers) can also be chosen and used by the pupils. The materials and activities will be  planned and <span class="short_text"> recorded in the Universe Quest passport. The best Universe Quest passport will receive awards. All pupils will also evaluate the materials and activities (see F.5.).

**F.4. INTEGRATION INTO ONGOING ACTIVITIES**

The project will be integrated in the annual work plan for each school. It is of interdisciplinary nature and belongs to the free chosen activities in the school, like astronomy or science clubs. Some activities will be integrated in the science curriculum.

**F.5. EVALUATION**

During the partnership, all participants will realize a continuous <span class="short_text"> evaluation of the activities  through a constant cooperation and communication between all partners (see F.2.). At the end of each sub-project, all participants will analyze the number/quality of the activities and <span class="short_text"> their participation  ,  <span class="short_text"> write a report and answer<span class="short_text"> to a survey. After the partnership, all participants will evaluate the overall level of the activities.

**F.6. DISSEMINATION AND THE USE OF RESULTS**

The results (experiences and products) will be published in the project and school web sites, in the Comenius bulletin board and in the local newspaper. Each country will organize at least one conference given by our students for all the pupils of the school. With the photos and videos taken troughout the project we'll create a DVD available in each scool's library.

**G. PARTICIPANTS AND ACTIVITIES** **G.1. PARTICIPANTS**


 * Participating organisation || Total number of pupils || Number of teachers ||
 * PT - T. Novas || 80 || 8 ||
 * PT - Viseu || 25 || 3 ||
 * AUSTRIA || 1500 || 10 ||
 * ROMANIA || 60 || 8 ||
 * FRANCE - François || 35 || 2 ||
 * FRANCE || 20 || 4 ||
 * SLOVENIA || 60 || 10 ||

**G.2. WORK PROGRAMME**

Workshops; Exploration of the cultural, etnological and geographical specialities of France; Visit to International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, Observatory Haute Provence, Center for Particle Physics of Marseille and Observatory Astronomical of Marseille Provence || ** FRANCE ** || ** October 2011 ** || All || Workshops; Exploration of the cultural, etnological and geographical specialities of Romania; Visit to Observatory Amiral Urseanu (Bucharest), Planetarium from Baia Mare and Etno-Techno-Park ASTRA (Sibiu) || ** Romania ** || ** April 2012 ** || All || Workshops; Exploration of the cultural, etnological and geographical specialities of Austria; Visit to Institue of Astrophysics (Innsbruck) and to Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. || ** AUSTRIA ** || ** October 2012 ** || All || Workshops; Exploration of the cultural, etnological and geographical specialities of Portugal; Visit to radiotelescope of Pampilhosa da Serra; Visit to Living Science Center of Constância - Astronomy Park || ** Portugal ** || **March 2013 ** || All || Workshops; Press conference; Exploration of the cultural, etnological and geographical specialities of Slovenia; Visit to observatory Golovec in Ljubljana; Starry night in the mountains. || **SLOVENIA** || ** May 2013** || All ||
 * **Nº** || **<span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Description of mobilities and other activities ** || ** Destination country (mobilities) ** || ** Start date ** || **Partners** ||
 * 1 || Preparation of the activities;
 * 2 || ** Light Pollution (see D.4.) ** ||  || October 2011 || All ||
 * 3 || ** Robotic and Optical Telescopes (see D.4.) ** ||  || <span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">// February // 2012 || All ||
 * 4 || Evaluation and preparation of the activities;
 * 5 || Evaluation and preparation of the activities;
 * 6 || ** Star Brightness and Spectroscopy (see D.4.) ** ||  || October 2012 || All ||
 * 7 || ** Radio Telescopes and Cosmic Particles (see D.4.) ** ||  || <span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px;">// February // 2013 || All ||
 * 8 || Evaluation and preparation of the activities;
 * 9 || Evaluation of the activities;


 * H. REQUESTED EU FUNDING**

What is counted as "a mobility" is one trip abroad by one person. Partnership type - **COM-8M** (minimum number of mobilities = 8) Partnership type - **COM-12M** ( minimum number of mobilities = 12) Partnership type - **COM-24M** ( minimum number of mobilities = 24)


 * || <span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Partnership type || Nº of planned outgoing mobilities (pupils) || Nº of planned outgoing mobilities (staff) ||
 * PT - T. Novas || <span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">**COM-24M** || 16 || 12 ||
 * PT - Viseu || **COM-12M** || 8 || 4 ||
 * AUSTRIA || **COM-24M** || 24 || 4 ||
 * ROMANIA || **COM-24M** || 24 || 8 ||
 * FRANCE || **COM-24M** || 24 || 4 ||
 * FRANCE JLouis || **COM-24M** || 20 || 4 ||
 * SLOVENIA || **COM-24M** || 18 || 8 ||

Weaknesses and areas of improvement
 * There is good potential in the concept, but the answers to several questions are too general and not informative enough.**

Impact, Communication and Dissemination, among others: D5 - <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">The application shows that the Partnership will achieve results which would not be attained by activities carried out entirely within one and the same country.

D6 - <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">The application provides a clear and well defined explanation on the expected impact and benefits of the partnership.

F1 - There is an appropriate and clearly defined distribution of roles and tasks across the Partnership to match each partner's own competences.The contribution of each partner is clearly explained. The tasks are defined and distributed among the partners in such a way that the results can be achieved within the time.ThePartnershipcoordination is well assured by the coordinating institution.The participating organisations are appropriate for the subject on which the Partnership will be working.

F2 - Appropriate measures are foreseen to ensure communication and cooperation such as meetings, workshops, conference calls, regular correspondence, newsletters, and other forms of exchange of information (such as use of ICT).

F3 - If the Partnership is focused on cooperation on a specific subject (training or education content) or cooperation with in a specific field or economic sector, the application makes clear how all relevant staff will be involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of activities. If the Partnership is rather pupil/trainee oriented, the application makes clear the role that pupils/trainees will play in the different stages of the Partnership (planning, implementation, evaluation).

F4 - In Partnership dealing with cooperation on a specific subject (training or education content) or cooperation within a specific field or economic sector,the application makes clear how the project fits into the regular activities of the participating institutions. If the Partnership focuses on pupil/trainee involvement,the application makes clearh ow the Partnerships activities will be integrated into the curriculum of the participating pupils/trainees and what subjects of the curriculum will be concerned.

F5 - The evaluation plan/approach is well defined and covers aspects such as follow-up of progress made and Partnershipperformance, satisfaction of participants and other target groups, attainment of objectives, measurement of impact.

F6 - The dissemination activities are focused and well defined. The Partnership clearly explain and demonstrates the interest/potential to disseminate and make use within their own institutions of the results, experiences and, where applicable, the end products of the Partnership. The partnership plans to disseminate the results to organisations/networks outside of the partnership and has provided clear plans as to how they will achieve this.