OPEN MIND SKILLFUL HANDS

The first short-term meeting devoted to learning and teaching as part of the „ Open minds, skillful hands” project was held on October 18-23, 2021 at the Primary School of Zespół-Szkolno Przedszkolny nr 3 in Psary. Its motif was: "Tradition in children’s hands". It was attended by 10 teachers and 21 students of all partner schools, accommodated in the nearby hotel in Czeladź and hosted by school and Polish students’ families for two evenings for family workshops.

Mobility activities began with a meeting of guests with the school community and the show of grade students who prepared for this occasion a special dance with the flags of the project countries. After presenting the exchange plan and discussing the tasks of the meeting, the guests became acquainted with the school's didactic base, conditions, equipment, surroundings of the school and information on changes in the Polish education system. Students participated in integration, team-building activities and group workshops run with the use of variety of various stimulating aids and active methods. It resulted in creating a friendly atmosphere among students in a short time. Students of partner countries and a group of 14 Polish students were dividing in working teams for different activities and workshops. They worked at Maths @ Arts, coding, ceramics and culinary Kids Kitchen workshops, took part in activities of Polish language, music, dance and sport, educreative and Magic Carpet games. They also went to Aspen Valley for a woodcraft workshops, art activity in Silesian Museum in Katowice and followed the trading route of Wieliczka and Kraków during the educational trip. They also enjoyed outdoor activities in the courtyard of Zagłębie Palace and Będzin Castle.

Teachers discussed all current issues and matters related to the implementation, evaluation and dissemination of project results. They analysed the current situation, based on the guidelines of WHO, national agencies and ministries of education, discussed variants of crisis solutions regarding the dates of subsequent mobility

Teachers of partner schools were invited for a short meeting with the Head of the Psary commune to the Commune Office.

Teachers of hosting school (7) shared the good practice and experience gained in international training sessions of Action KA 1 Erasmus + and the results of the other project STEAM conducted by the school.

At the end of the meeting students and teachers evaluated workshops, project's activities with a questionnaire, interviews and evaluation games and clarified the details of subsequent activities.

Certification was preceded by an evaluation survey of a project addressed to teachers and students.

Participants could learn about the history and geology of mining facilities and learn about the history of industrialization of upper Silesia, taking into account the huge role of mining in the development of the region.

They also had the opportunity to learn about the characteristic places of Silesia - Spodek and Nikiszowiec. They also visited historic silver mine, which is a modern information centre on methods of metal mining and underground drainage (in Tarnowskie Góry). Participants could learn about the history and geology of mining facilities and learn about the history of industrialization of upper Silesia, taking into account the huge role of mining in the development of the region.

They admired the most important monuments of Polish culture in Kraków took the route in Wieliczka Salt Mine where they could imagine the spcificity of mining profession and explored the chambers around the oldest preserved Shafts.