Kstovo’s Teachers Learned New Innovative Instruction Techniques at STEAM School
30 march 2021
On March 27, SIBUR supported STEAM School’s intensive educational sessions for teachers of mathematics, physics and robotics held in Kstovo. Because of the restrictions introduced in response to the the pandemic, the event was held remotely. STEAM School’s speakers who are themselves successful and well-known practicing teachers introduced the participants to innovative educational methods and unorthodox approaches to instruction.
Implemented as part of the Formula for Good Deeds social investment program, the project seeks to help develop relevant teaching skills. STEAM School’s curriculum is centered around the needs and demands of education of tomorrow. It includes interactive master classes, workshops and lectures focusing on developing students' engineering competencies based on their knowledge in such fields as physics, mathematics, computer science, and robotics.
The program of intensive sessions in Kstovo started with a panel discussion entitled "A Modern Teacher. Is There a Place for a Teacher in the Digital World?" All participants of the course joined in the conversation about whether there could be a modern school without a teacher in it and what teachers need to change in the way they are doing their work these days. The session was moderated by Anna Nabatova, a research supervisor and a consultant of various educational projects, including the educational project "Profsreda" implemented by the City of Moscow’s Department of Education and Science.
The online event continued with the lecture titled "Robotics in Education: Effective Integration of STEAM Methods at School", presented by Andrey Peshkov, a certified Lego Education trainer and Director of FUNbots. It provided an overview of the key trends that are shaping education of the future, and examined major challenges that students and teachers have to deal with in the face of educational processes’ transformation. Another important topic that was discussed at the lecture was the question of how robotics could and should be used in elementary and general school to better prepare students for a future that is not always clearly seen or certain. The lecture part was followed up on with a hands-on lesson with Andrei Peshkov using Lego models to demonstrate the value of game-based learning. As of now, this is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the interdisciplinary linkages between such school subjects as physics, technology, computer science, and mathematics.
Yuri Mikhailovsky, a teacher of physics with a Moscow-based innovative "Khoroshkola" school and a curriculum developer for science festivals, spoke to his audience about the promise and advantages of personalized approach to education. In addition, he gave a presentation on some of his most striking physics demonstrations using available everyday articles, such as a switched-on hair dryer and a fish tank. It is through the use of such applied skills that teachers will be able to boost their students' motivation for studying physics and to introduce a new topic in an unconventional way by relying on visual cues.
Yuri Bobrinyov, Deputy Principal of Moscow’s School 1514, a teacher of physics, a winner of the 2009 edition of the Moscow’s Teacher of the Year contest and a two-time winner of the Contest of Russia’s Best Schoolteachers held within the framework of the National "Education" Project, introduced class participants to an engineering platform called Arduino, and to Arduino IDE development environment, while explaining how they can be used for project-based work and in study groups.
In his turn, Yuri Podkopaev, Deputy Principal for Education Environment of "New School", gave an in-depth lecture about pressing challenges that high school education is currently facing. His presentation primarily focused on covering the topic of how high school with a curriculum that strives to promote advancement of critical and creative thinking can facilitate productive performance.
Our times’ global challenges are prompting the system of education to transform itself, but the system itself is extremely inert. It is our teachers who should be, and sooner or later will become, the main driving force behind such transformations. Because it is them who are in direct contact with the schoolchildren, dealing with their needs and creating unique methods of instruction. That is why it is necessary to ensure they are given an opportunity to "beef up" their skills. And so, many thanks to SIBUR for supporting such needed and timely initiatives, noted Yury Podkopaev, Deputy Principal for Education Environment of "New School" and a teacher of mathematics and computer science.
Evgeny Shiryaev, one of the co-authors of the "Science Workshop" project, introduced Kstovo’s teachers to yet another unorthodox approach – a Mathematics Suitcase, a teaching kit packaged into a custom-built case designed for being taken on the road when shuttling between schools and presenting mathematics to students in an exciting new way. The case’s content would match a particular set of classes whereas the supporting methodological and information materials are designed to help reduce the time it takes to prepare for a class to a minimum.
As a mathematician, it took me a long time to get used to the idea that the subject’s theory is being moved to the background, said Elena Tsenova, a mathematics teacher. But as time goes by, I am growing more convinced that our main objective should be to teach children critical thinking, to learn to analyze information, to discuss things, to question facts and opinions, including their own. Young people of today are capable of shifting their focus quite naturally, they are not afraid of trying themselves at new things, they are more agile, and more technology-savvy. And we as teachers also need to adapt to modernity.
Despite the constraints of the event’s online format, the experts of the STEAM School did their best to engage their audiences in the interactive activities taking place during their classes. These included group research, online competitions, heated debates, and demonstrations of unique experiences. All of this was instrumental in helping the audience to get their heads around these new practices and techniques a contemporary teacher needs to know how to use.
STEAM School is an important and useful tool for advancing our educational system, stressed Alexander Dolgikh, Director of Kstovo Administration’s Department of Education and Youth Policy. Our teachers’ thirst for knowledge of new methods of teaching and material delivery is greater than ever. We are fortunate to have excellent teachers who know how to teach and to learn. I am confident that by adopting the best modern education practices we will be able to prepare and educate not only sought-after professionals of tomorrow, but also the true "shining stars" of the highest-profile research contests and Olympiads.
Intensive educational sessions will be resumed on April 3. At an online master class, its participants will be given a presentation on a process for assembling tubular polyhedrons. The presentation will be given by none other than Boris Mironov, the method’s developer and author of the term "tubular polyhedron", a teacher of mathematics and Director of the Center for Education Informatization at Petrodvortsovy District’s Information and Methodology Center in St. Petersburg.