Language Explores +

"""Language Explores +"" was a strategic school partnership between Osnovna škola Jurja Dobrile and Volksschule Rötzergasse. During a project period of 12 months, from September 2017 to September 2018, both schools have been working on the acquistion of skills and competences in the fields of science and language.In science education, the project identified the necessity to deal with topics such as educational equity, language proficiency and innovative teaching methods. Educational equity regardless of socio-economic background and gender shall lead to a shift in society. A high percentage of the student population participating in ""Language Explores +"" is facing lower opportunities regarding economic obstacles and educational difficulties, which can have, as a consequence, negative impact on their school achievement. The paper ""Science Education in Europe: National Policies, Pracitices and Research"" confirms that assumption (Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency 2011). Further, gender is an important matter dealing with science and ICT. Andrus Ansip, vice-president of the European commission, for example, states that less than 30 % of employees in ICT and 17 % of total graduates in computer science are women (Ansip 2014), the publication ""She Figures 2012. Research in Research and Innovation"" (European Union 2013) affirms low percentages for women working in science and research.""Language Explores +"" affected around 800 people: students, teachers, principles, colleagues, legal guardians, families and local community. A limited number of students and teachers have joined transnational learning activities. In total 12 students, 7 teachers and both principles from Vienna and Rovinj have been involved in short-term exchanges and have worked intensely on project activities abroad. Back at their schools and in their local community they acted as multipliers and therefor presented their experiences and disseminated project results (conferences, school events, presentations).In addition to the mobilities, many different project activities have been organised throughout the whole project period. Amongst others, students have made and uploaded experiment videos, designed project logos, worked with and created mystery science and culture boxes, generated science quizzes and documented experiments using scientists` diaries. While conducting this variety of project activities, participating students have worked on scientific questions and improved their skills in science as well as in academic language needed to organise and describe scientific processes.Legal guardians, families and local community contributed to the planned project activities (school events, mobilities, host families, evaluation).Participating teachers have expanded their knowledge of methodology and didactics of language and science teaching in order to ensure creative and successful education in their schools. They have been sensitized to multilingualism, especially with regard of CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) and CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) in combination with science education. Insights into other educational systems empowered them to transfer good practise and groundbreaking ideas to their own school and teaching. ""Language Explores +"" has implemented new teaching methods and motivating material in both partner schools (hands-on approach, language sensitivity in science education, implementing online tools). Project results have been published and disseminated using school websites, eTwinning (TwinSpace, eTwinning-events), media (TV, radio, local newspaper, blogs), social media (Facebook) and events (conferences, school events). Photo books have been designed and handed out to all students, teachers and principles involved in project mobilities, furthermore, they have received certificates of participation.The successful implementation of ""Language Explores +"" has promoted international cooperation, raised awareness for science regardless of socio-economic background or gender and strengthened the European dimension at Osnovna škola Jurja Dobrile and Volksschule Rötzergasse.Sources:Ansip, Andrus (2014): Getting more European girls and women in digital studies and careers. URL: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2014-2019/ansip/blog/getting-more-european-girls-and-women-digital-studies-and-careers_en (28.03.2017).Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (2011): Science Education in Europe: National Policies, Pracitices and Research. URL: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/thematic_reports/133en.pdf (28.03.2017).European Union (2013): She Figures 2012. Research in Research and Innovation. URL: http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/document_library/pdf_06/she-figures-2012_en.pdf (28.03.2017)."