Eisenstadt+September+2010


 * COMENIUS MEETING IN EISENSTADT – **

We went to Austria for the Comenius Meeting on the 23rd of September to the 29th in order to do the planning for this school year concerning ‘**Scientific Interactive learning for everyone’.**

We arrived in Viena and went for a walk. This is the marvelous St. Stephan cathedral Then, we were taken to Eisenstadt, where the Gymnasium is. They have 5 types of education, Science, Arts, Languages, Music and Sports, from 11 to 18 years old. They showed us some classrooms and the lab, where they were analyzing the potato cell. We decided to focus on our ecosystems in the three countries: Norway, Austria and Spain, so that the pupils can compare plants and animals living in our surroundings.

On the first day, we also visited the Esterhazy Palace, where the main governing family used to live in the 17th century. On the following day, we went to Hungary and were explained about the braking of the wire fence in 1989, which was the beginning of the end for the communism and the Cold War, together with the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was very interesting and in Sopron, we could see rests of the Roman city of Scarvantia. On Sunday, we took the train to Viena and saw the Science Museum and the **Zoo,** as we are dealing with animals in our project.

We also went to see THE **SHONBRUN PALACE**, WHERE SISSY USED TO LIVE DURING THE SUMMER, as you can see in the photo. (The teachers are Lina, Luisa, Roberto and Marga)

But also, we were taken to the Zoo in Viena

and by ferry on Monday, to the **National Park of Neusiedler See** which is the object of investigation inside their class curriculum. There, we surrounded the park on a horse cart, which was something unexpected but very funny and we were lucky to have a wonderful and sunny weather which let us watch birds and animals living near the lakes. Then, on the last day, although, we were always sharing information about our own places and deciding things on the run, we were working hard to do some training about the digital platform ‘itslearning’, watching some example of what could be done and coming to an agreement about dates, deadlines and voluntary tasks to be carried out by different teachers, like food nutrients in Chemistry, our ecosystems in Biology, important scientists in Ancient culture or biodiversity of nature in Physical Education, of course using English as a vehicle of communication. Using ICT as a learning tool is innovation in our methodologies which is very motivating for pupils and teachers alike. However, finally, after doing all the tasks, our conclusions will be put into an open wiki space to spread the acquired knowledge. It is amazing how enriching these European meetings are to be able to share learning techniques, teaching experiences, get to know other cultures and other interesting places that we would never have known otherwise, and obtaining such good relationships with other teachers. I wish all the teachers could get involved in one of these projects, although in the majority of cases, they are afraid of having to do all the documents in English, but pupils can, and they should!! //(by Marga Herrero from Spain)//