Numerous research results show that professions from the above mentioned areas are among the best ranked in the world. In Macedonia, however, there is a deficit of teachers in these areas, which means there is an inevitable need for popularizing STEM. According to a relevant research (e.g. PISA), the educational results from these areas in Macedonia are at the bottom of the list in comparison to other European countries.
Over the last few years, there have been many attempts at innovation in the STEM classroom, including certain changes within the syllabus, use of different methodological approaches, and creative use of IT in the teaching practice. All of these activities resulted in improvements in the teaching practices, but what is missing is examples of different activities that will increase students’ motivation and provoke their interest to study STEM. Hence our call and the obvious need to find, showcase, and share the best practices of Macedonian teachers. The teachers were given an opportunity to present an innovative approach towards teaching STEM subjects with their own choice of activities. Their efforts were welcomed, as we aim to enrich the resources in the STEM area, and rely on the input of other educators.
The following were the Terms and Conditions for participation:
- Teachers must agree to their work being modified and used by other educators;
- The posters were reviewed by a jury consisting of university professors. The jury selected the best 30 posters and these were presented at the #ThirdEduConference2017.
The following criteria apply and are of equal importance:
- Originality, applicability, potential to draw attention, description of the methodological approach, general impression of the viewer.
- Submission deadline: 15 March 2017.
- Announcement of the results (the best posters): 30 March 2017
- Presentation of the winning posters: 8th April (during the conference)
University professors and advisors from the Bureau of Education of Republics of Macedonia have evaluated the posters, and selected the top 30 that were displayed at the #ThirdEduConference2017.
The following are the criteria from which they will base their selection, and all criteria are of equal importance:
- Originality,
- applicability,
- potential to draw attention,
- description of the methodological approach,
- general impression of the viewer.
During the conference, an exhibition was organized to select the best poster presentations and design solutions by the expert jury and audience and were awarded the following awards:
- First prize from audience – ,,Do not be angry bird teach physics,,
Nikola Delevski, Primary School “Nikola Karev” Strumica.
- First prize from a professional jury – “Reaction of carbonates with acids”
Aleksandra Blazeska, Primary School „Јаn Amos Komenski“ Skopje - Second prize from a professional jury – “Transform the classroom with a virtual reality”
Slvica Stojcevska Primary School „11 October“ Kumanovo - Third prize from a professional jury – “Experimenting in physical education”
Primary School „Zivko Brajkovski“ Skopje
The 30 most successful posters were presented at the Third #EduConference2017 and printed in a catalog that can be downloaded at the following link.