“Science Playgrounds” took place in Brasov between January 2014- October 2014. The project aimed at bringing science closer to children and youngsters, and present it as an attractive element in understanding the world around us.
The two EVS volunteers involved in the project (Kristine from Denmark, and Maria from Spain) developed and implemented different in- and outdoor playful workshops, experiments and non-formal activities in order to initiate children and teenagers from rural and small urban communities in the fascinating world of science. They worked mainly in schools from rural areas, with children from isolated or discriminated communities, but also in poor urban areas in order to diversify the opportunities for leisure activities.
Project duration: 01 January, 2014- 31 October, 2014
EVS mobility duration: 01 February, 2014- 31 August, 2014
Location: Brasov, Romania
Sending organizations: Servei Civil International de Cataluny - Spain, and Dansk ICYE- Denmark.
The main objective of the project were:
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to awake interest in science through playing games and developing non-formal activities and experiments
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to diversify non-formal education opportunities for children and youngsters from rural and poor urban areas;
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to develop the formal and non-formal learning opportunities regarding science knowledge
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to create learning opportunities regarding how to relate science with environmental issues
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to stimulate the feeling that science can be fun and very useful
Main activities and results:
In the first period of the project the activities were focused on bringing the interest in science closer to children and teenagers from different schools, through regular activities developed by the volunteers. The following activities had been organized:
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weekly non-formal activities for the 25 kindergarten Roma children from Floroaia Mica school;
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monthly activities in the school and kindergarten in Holbav Deal village;
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weekly non-formal activities and experiments with a group of 10 people f
rom Mircea Eliade Highschool, Intorsura Buzaului.
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One-month activities with different classes from Scoala Generala nr. 5, from Sacele
In April, the activities carried out in schools were adapted and focused on inter-cultural learning, the two volunteers integrating cultural elements into their activities. One of these activities was the celebration of the Catalan Love Day (Sant Jordi) together with the children from Floroaia Mica school.
A constant interest of the activities carried out in the project was the integration of environmental protection elements in the activities in order to develop a more Eco- friendly attitude. The following activities were part of this effort:
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recycling workshops developed in frame of bigger events like Free Parking or Ceva de Vara festival;
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“Science in our daily life”activity developed for “Scoala Altfel” week- discussions and activities about plants and their benefits for our health
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ecologization campaign of Camping field from Intorsura Buzaului, for “Ceva de Vara” festival.
In the second part of the project, beside the regular activities in the school, the efforts were directed also on developing different outdoor or indoor events, focused on bringing different leisure and educational opportunities for children and youngsters from isolated villages or poor urban communities.
Several events had been organized:
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“O sarbatoare in natura pentru intreaga familie”- 1 June 2014, Holbav;
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“Free Parking”- regular events organized in Tractorul Park from Brasov;
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Boardgames evening- two editions were organized in a bar in Intorsura Buzaului;
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“Ceva de Vara” festival- 19 July 2014, Intorsura Buzaului
Other achievements of the project:
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more than 1000 volunteering hours
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2 personal projects:
“O sarbatoare in natura pentru intreaga familie”, 1 June 2014
Recycling workshops in frame of different events organized during the year.
- Personal development:
“I’m specially happy because I lost part of my shyness and now I’m feeling comfortable when I speak with people I don’t know and I ‘m not feeling so lazy..” (Maria, Spain).
” Now I have a better idea about how to work with kids, and getting a feeling about what it will work with them and what not. But most of all I have learned more about myself, my strong side a
nd weak side and what I need to continue to work on” (Kristine, Denmark).
- professional development:
” I learned how to look critical and optimistic on problems and possibilities and how to bring in my own ideas” . (Krisitne)
” I became aware about how Romanians and the people around me are applying
their science knowledge in daily life by observing how they are doing the basic things: setting a fire, drying their clothes, keeping the roads without snow etc”. (Maria)
Beneficiaries:
- Direct beneficiaries were the 2 EVS volunteers from Spain and Denmark.
- Beneficiaries of the implemented activities:
- 25 children from Floroaia Mica kindergarten
- 40 children from Scoala Generala nr.5, Sacele
- 20 children from 1st to 4th grade from Holbav Deal
- 15 teenagers from Mircea Eliade Highschool, Intorsura Buzaului
- over 50 local volunteers from Brasov and Intorsura Buzaului, involved in “Ceva de Vara” festival.
- 6 teachers from kindergarten, primary and secondary school involved in the activities of the project.
- over 500 children and teenagers from Intorsura Buzaului and around, that participated in “Ceva de Vara” festival.
“Science Playgrounds” project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects only the views of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of information contained herein.
