Press release about VII International Conference: “Aspects of improvements of teaching the natural sciences in elementary and secondary schools”

VII International Conference, held on  22^nd and 23^rd of May 2017 in Hotel Mellain in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a result of work and cooperation between MIOS, Association of Technicians for solidarity and international cooperation (RE.TE) Torino, and Primary School “Safvet-beg Bašagić” Breza and educators from Tuzla Canton and Zenica-Doboj Canton. Publically opened, the Conference focused on participants from science-educational process as well as representatives of responsible institutions and educational bodies from Tuzla Canton, Zenica-Doboj Canton, Canton Sarajevo and other cantons, parents and pupils. This convention of scientists and educators from the country and abroad is a way of strengthening international cooperation at the field of education aiming at improvement of teaching process.

During 2015, 2016, 2017, International Association “Interactive open schools” (MIOS) has implemented two projects-“Science makes world an interesting place for learning”, and “SEA- improving the quality of teachers’ skills in science”, where representatives of 17 primary and secondary schools from Tuzla Canton, 34 science teachers had an opportunity to participate in SEA teaching method (Starter Experiment Approach). This method implies integrated approach of practical teaching based on theoretical science concepts as well as “re-establishing” of pupils’ school surroundings which makes learning in the context of science practical and motivated.

Subsequently, during 2016 and 2017 International Association “Interactive open schools” (MIOS) in cooperation with NGO RE.TE (Association of Technicians for solidarity and international cooperation), and Primary School “Safvet-beg Bašagić” has implemented the project “Science for life” where the main aim is development of partnership between primary schools “Safvet-beg Bašagić“ and “Enver Čolaković“ from Breza and primary schools from Tuzla Canton through exchange of elementary teaching and methodology presentation of pupils’ Science literacy in elementary teaching. This has been present in primary schools in Breza, especially in Primary school “Safvet-beg Bašagić” ever since 2009.

The Conference was attended by representatives of Pedagogical Institute of Tuzla Canton, OSCE Mission to BiH Tuzla Office, University of Tuzla, and participants of education for SEA approach and Science literacy in elementary teaching, schools’ management, pupils, and science teachers from Tuzla Canton and Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.

Throughout two-day conference, the participants were in opportunity to hear the planar presentation of great number of experts:

1. Prof Cinzia Messineo, Director of Association of Technicians for solidarity and international cooperation (RE.TE) Torino
2. Prof dr Damir Marjanović, Rector of International Burch University Sarajevo
3. Prof Marco Falasca, INDIRE Expert, author of “Word of Science” approach, Italy
4. Prof Juergen Schoenherr, Mathematics and Science Methodology lecturer, author of SEA, Germany
5. Prof dr Naim Syla, Vice Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Priština
6. Prof. Antonella Bosco, Institut Galileo Ferraris, Settimo (Torino), Italy
7. Prof. Vincenzo Fogazza, Institut Galileo Ferraris, Settimo (Torino), Italy

Planar presentation discussed the following subjects:

– Importance of Natural Sciences

– Ways of improving the teaching process in the field of Natural Sciences

– Starter Experiment Approach, a way to develop pupils’ critical opinion through Science literacy in higher grades and experiences from using this approach

– Importance of pupils’ science literacy from early ages through Method of Cooperative Learning and Problem Solving

– techniques and tools according to EU standards that can be applicable in the process of Science literacy in inclusive education as well as importance of equal engagement of all participants throughout this process.

During sessions, held by Mazalović Jasminka, Primary School „Solina“ Tuzla, Zaimović Merisa, Primary School “Safvet beg Bašagić“ Breza, Mujakić Vildana, Primary School “Sjenjak“ Tuzla, Šahović Zumra, Primary School “Sjenjak“ Tuzla, Ostojić Mara, Primary School “Solina“ Tuzla, Dr.sc.Amela Softić, Physic Department , Faculty of Science University in Tuzla, Dedić Zineta, Secondary Medical School Tuzla, Representative member of Science Association Tuzla Canton, Ćorić Kajtaz Elma, Second High school Mostar, Kreso Sanela, Second Medical School Mostar, the participants had an opportunity to:

• exchange experience and the results they have met previously using approaches from project education they needed to go through
• get to know new tools applicable in Natural Science sector aiming at teaching reform
• comprehend the importance of using experiments in teaching as well as fully understand lecturing strategies

Contribution for realization of the Conference was also provided by students of Medical High school and Primary School “Sjenjak” Tuzla who were active during discussion in the planar presentation of Prof Dr Marjanović as well as in parallel sessions presenting their experimental classroom work from Natural Science.

At the end of two-day conference an equipment has been assigned for 14 schools from Tuzla Canton which participated in realization of project “SEA- improving the quality of teachers’ skills in science” in total amount of 17.798,16 KM along with 9 schools from Tuzla Canton and Breza in total amount of 2.049,47 KM who participated in realization of project “Science for life”.

International Association “Interactive open schools” Tuzla is using this opportunity to express uor gratitude to partners during organization, Primary School “Safvet-beg Bašagić” and NGO RE.TE. Torino, presenters, session leaders as well as all participants of the Conference.