Amazing engineering skills at St. Damian’s School, Dublin, Ireland

In Ireland, on 9 June, we were greeted by the sun and warmth. We are looking forward to Monday when the project activities begin.

The principal of St. Damian’s School, as well as the teachers and pupils welcomed us, and partner countries presented their schools to each other.

During the "tour" of the school the guests visited classrooms and were acquainted with the school’s environment, got to know the Irish school system and shared their experiences. We were pleasantly surprised by the genuine interest of Irish pupils in project partner countries, schools, hobbies and subjects.

We have concluded together that life in each country may vary, but common values ​​such as friendship, curiosity, kindness and openness are the same for all of us.

The day was enriched by pupils' ice-breaking activities to get to know each other better. With a rubber band, thread, and paper cups, each team had to build a tower, and all participants had to get involved. The activity was not only fun and stimulating, but also required logical thinking and cooperation skills.

The next day began with the challenge of engineering. These were interesting and exciting activities where we had to use the skill to both plan, visualise the product and apply the other qualities needed by engineers and designers.

Our engineering mission was to build the tallest, freestanding tower from balloons. We also made popsicle stick catapults.

In a free and creative atmosphere, the building bridges activity followed, where from Lego parts we had to make a bridge of a certain length that was able to hold the proper load and was visually appealing. The pupils not only used the existing knowledge in practice, but also discovered hidden talents - to draw, create and present their product.

A day full of different activities. The participants of the project expect an interesting task from newspapers, to make a stand capable of holding a basketball ball.

After we created our own music with the help of merry  beatboxers. It was so fun and interactive activity.

We visited the Physics Department of Dublin City Innovation Campus, where we learnt more about light, sounds and water print. Children were very impressed by the huge amount of water needed to produce ordinary things, from a cup of tea, to a smartphone.

The afternoon followed the cultural visit to the impressive Christ Church Cathedral.

Traditional evening with music, dance, Irish food and the wonderful cake of the project ended a successful day.

Thursday's engineering challenge - building of a marble rollercoaster. As a student from Latvia admits, such activities allow us to realise that mathematics, physics and other exact sciences aren’t just numbers on paper, they allow us to understand how theory works in practice. In addition, it can be learnt in a fun and exciting way.

The certificate distribution ceremony was organised in the afternoon. We took photos together.

At the end of the day, the Science Fair took place, where everyone had the opportunity to get acquainted with the engineering products created during the week. It was supplemented by science projects prepared by the pupils from the newest classes.

On Friday we visited the Explorium Science Museum. And it isn't just a museum, it's where you come and get acquainted with science in a fun and playful way! We gained a broad spectrum of science experience that fuelled our curiosity.

Saturday - project partners say goodbye to each other and take their flights home.

We thank the Irish project team for the fulfilling days in Ireland that inspired students and teachers to make pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM).

Learning through technology - STEAM activities in Stockholm, Sweden.

From 31.03 to 06.04, project partners were welcomed and hosted by the Swedish team in the International English School in Stockholm, Sweden.

Pupils performed practical work in the school's l laboratory; first planning, programming, then creating a product such as a key ring made using a 3D printer. They planned and created animation about the STEAM theme and  learnt about Scratch and Microbit programming.

These activities involved teamwork and thoughtful dialogue, in which students exchange ideas and develop their potential.

In the STEAM fair, project partners were introduced to the practical projects of the school's students. These were models of bridges and buildings, planes made from simple, reusable materials. Self-made musical instruments, products from fabrics, for example, the model of the solar system made using felt.

Places we visited.

The Swedish Museum of Natural History  provided insights into the theory of life and human development and the  processes of evolution on Earth.

Technology Museum - it could be called an active learning place where students programmed the movements of a robot (Lego tractor), experimented with interactive video games, got to know about the projection of light and sound.

Project activities included exploring the special places of the Swedish capital. Teachers and pupils visited the Old Town of Stockholm. In the Square of King Adolf Gustav, we saw a change of guards and the ancient Market Square, the magnificent parliament building and other places. We felt the breath and rhythm of this Scandinavian city.

Nobel Museum is devoted to Nobel Prize winners, which have been active since 1901, and it is dedicated to the founder Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) as well. To date, over 800 laureates have been awarded the Nobel Prize. Each winner is included in the museum's portrait set. Here you can see the greatest discoveries of many countries around the world. The Nobel Prize laureates are an exciting adventure that reflects the history of the world with it successes and failures.  

STEAM activities in Sweden were motivating and inspiring. They gave pupils an opportunity to get to know their peers from other countries and to jointly develop their scientific creativity. They also provide a great source of inspiration for teachers in finding innovative and interesting ways to teach STEAM.