Topic outline

  • 2nd TAP-TS SUMMER/SPRING SCHOOL (2-6 April 2024, Nicosia, Cyprus)


    Title: EXPLORING METHODOLOGIES ON TEACHING AND LEARNING SUSTAINABILITY 

    The Summer/Spring School (SSYr3) that took place in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 2nd – 6th April 2024 was the second Summer School organized by the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute (CPI) for the TAP-TS Teacher Academy project which focused on supporting educators in becoming familiar with teaching and learning methodologies such as problem-solving and inquiry-based learning, STEM/STEAM approach, promoting critical thinking and argumentation. 

    The 2nd TAP-TS Summer/Spring School brought together primary school teachers and instructional leaders from across Europe to discuss methodologies, strategies and practices to promote sustainability goals. This face-to-face quality professional learning experience aimed: 

    • to support educators in becoming familiar with teaching and learning methodologies such as problem-solving and inquiry-based learning, STEM/STEAM methodologies, 
    • to promote critical thinking and argumentation,
    • to advocate evaluation and social dimensions of sustainability.



    • The rationale of the Summer/Spring School was based on theoretical assumptions related to effective teachers’ professional learning programs. Therefore, the Summer/Spring School focused on the active learning of the teachers, on encouraging teachers’ reflection, on offering opportunities for teachers’ professional identity to be evolved and on strengthening collaboration, networking, and creating of a professional learning community. The content and the schedule of the Summer/Spring School was related to:

      - the creation of the prerequisites for the summer/spring school aims to be achieved as much as possible.

      - implementing elements of effective teacher professional development programs.

      - sustainability as regards materials and activities, participation and sharing.  

      In general, the rationale of the Summer School was to align: 

      - opportunities for fruitful and constructive learning (indoor and outdoor)

      - reflection and exploration of different perspectives 

      - time for discussions, evaluation, and connectivity. 


      Following the rationale of the Summer/Spring School described above, the content and schedule of each day set a different theme in focus to help participants clarify aspects, content and strategies and become familiar with practical strategies for building activities to teach sustainability. Also, emphasis on reflection was included in the daily schedules (at least one reflection session for each day). Reflection sessions were facilitated by K&R evaluation. 


    Next section