Projects 2013

PROJECT 1: ABOVE US ONLY SKY, 2013

Students in all partner schools will act out twenty, one for each month, daily English dialogues whose topics we have decided on together and make video recordings. All partners will prepare twenty recipes of their traditional dishes with video recording while they're being cooked by parents. This will help us include the parents to the process. The VCDs of English dialogues will be copied and sent to national schools to be used as a teaching material. At the end of the first project year each partner school will prepare a booklet on their historical and touristic places of their countries. During project meetings, host students will show a folk dance and teach it to guest students, they will act out a national tale, they will present a PPS on national intellectuals fighting against racism and also a PPS on the visible results of global warming in their countries and host organization will arrange a trekking activity as a fight against obesity. For this activity, the coordinator will prepare T-shirts with project title and logo and a motto about obesity. Comenius trees will be planted at each project meeting. All partners will prepare PPPs and brochures on obesity and visit local schools. We'll prepare the project calendar with tips on fight against obesity and make Christmas cards with some tips and wishes for a better environment. At the end of each project year PPSs on the project activities carried out during that year will be prepared and presented at local schools by each partner school. Students will actively join all planning, implementation and evaluation processes, by sharing ideas at discussions, conducting all activities themselves and by preparing and applying questionnaires about the process.

We have different sub-titles (such as teaching/learning English via materials created by ourselves, fight against racism, fight against obesity, environmental pollution, culture and folk dances, culture and cuisine, culture and tales with drama) under our project title "ABOVE US ONLY SKY" because we, all, agree on the fact that we have many things to share and many to learn from each other’s. We believe that we can share all these areas with a good planning. We wanted to concentrate on common problems all around the world, such as environmental pollution, obesity and racism. We also wanted to show how much wealth just one culture may have by sharing our folk dances, music, national tales, cuisine and historical-touristic places. We also want to create an authentic English teaching materials, that's VCDs on daily English dialogues made by students and then we will send the copies of them to all related schools through our countries. What we have already had as a common point is that we need to grow new generations more and more tolerant; generations who are able to see the human being behind the ethnicities. Thanks to this project we are sure that both the staff and the students will inevitably improve their ICT skills while preparing all the PPSs and VCDs and while communicating via our project website, Facebook and mail groups effectively and that they will see a real reason to use English. Students will experience the sense of success and the sense of belonging through the all project activities which are appealing and need their active participation to be carried out. They will have common products produced by friends from different cultures. While preparing recipes and VCDs of traditional dishes our parents will also have the chance to experience what a Comenius project more directly.
Objectives of partnership:
- to make English learning more attractive with the help of the materials students prepared themselves
- to make students aware of the level of the severity that obesity has reached around the world and the ways to avoid obesity
- to help students understand how important healthy dieting and doing exercises are
- to create the sense of belonging to the people of world
- to increase the students' sensitivity to the environment
- to create awareness about the results of global warming
- to make the environment more clean by planting Comenius Trees at each project meeting
- to improve students' and teachers' ICT skills
- to creat motivation to learn European languages
- to recognize the diversity of European cultures
- to enable students have the necessary abilities to be a citizen of Europe

Subjects and problems intended to address
- the lack of authenticity of English teaching materials
- racism and xenophobia
- obesity
- environmental pollution, global warming and deforestration
- the lack of seeing how wealth even just one culture
- prejudices and stereotypes about "others"

The approach to achieve our objectives
- active involvement of every student in the planning, implementation and evaluation processes of the project
- ensuring the effective cooperation and communication using ICT effectively
- meeting with local/regional authorities and organizations to be able to take their support
- regular evaluations by surveys, questionnaires, interviews and meeting with students, the staff, parents and local people
- involving parents and local people to the process organizing Comenius Days at institutions and giving responsibilities to parents
- disseminating results and activities visiting local schools, preparing leaflets-brochures-booklets, updating the newsletter space at the project website, through school website and magazines and through local/regional media

An international joint project between schools from different European countries would give the participants incomparably greater opportunities attract more students, enable to study the topic better and ensure its better results.
All the partnership schools would give their students a unique chance to travel abroad which would be unlikely for the pupils because of their economical situation.
It would undoubtedly contribute in the students' ability to learn a foreign language more effectively. Associating with their European friends, they would improve their communication abilities. English would be their only tool of communication so in fact, they would be forced to use it 24 hours a day, not only three hours a week, in the classroom.
Living with foreign families, they would also have an opportunity to personally discover and participate in different lifestyles and cultures, gain a new perspective on European citizens, learn tolerance. They would have a unique chance to build relationships with their peers from other European countries.
While going abroad alone, not only would students improve their language competence and gain socio- cultural knowledge of the partnership countries, but also gain confidence and self-reliance, become more mature and independent which would be of a great value in their future life.
Teachers and their schools would also benefit from the multilateral project. During international meetings at host schools, the teachers together with their colleagues from the partnership schools will have an opportunity to compare their educational systems, exchange teaching ideas as well as share experiences relating different socio-cultural aspects e.g. EU membership.
What specifically our project claim is that our students will see the cultural differences and value them and start to wipe out the "OTHERS" in their minds thanks to the activities and products such as, PPSs on intellectuals against racism, folk dance sessions and drama sessions at project meetings, recipes and VCDs of cultural dishes. And what we all believe is that being against racism, fighting against universal problems all together, valuing the cultural differences, creating a much broader "WE", improving English and ICT skills are the basic competences that students need to acquire to be a part of European citizenship.

Impact on students
- they will see that there are problems which are universal
- they will be aware of the threat that obesity poses on people around the world
- they will see that with few changes in daily habits it is easy to overcome obesity
- they will develop sensitivity to the environment
- they will learn about different cultures and they will also learn to value the cultural diversity
- they will gain the neccessary competences to take part in multilateral societies
- they will develop self-confidence and self-esteem
- they will improve their use of English
- they will be motivated to learn other European languages
- they will improve their ICT skills
- they will acquire the necessary abilities to be a European citizen

Impacts on teachers
- they will have the chance to compare the teaching and learning environments around the

European countries
- they will plan and design their classes in an innovative way
- they will develop their ICT and language skills
- they will be more competent in European cultures
- they will share the teaching materials used
- they will be more self-sufficient at the work

Impacts on the institution
- the quality of educational process will increase
- the school management will be applied to integrate the school into the Europea educational system
- there will be integration with the European agenda
- the image of the school will develop among the public
- the staff will be motivated to learn modern languages
- the management activities will be conducted in a more democrative way

PROJECT 2: THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HAND, 2013

The main theme follows the logical result of interest/needs of the participating young people, it is their future establishment in the world and the aim of us as the leaders is to do everything to prepare them the best for that task. To be more precise we would like to show the youth, with their active participating!, what life is like in both countries, what to think about if one wants to be an entrepreneur, to let them find for themselves everything needed and to help them understand in practice how to judge their strength and weakness. And at the same time to help them to find out through their personal experience to understand what an open European labor market means. As we will be using many non-formal ways of learning during which all the participants will be involved, they will fulfill personal needs in developing the social skills.
The working methods are:
- team building exercise and ice-breaking activities for the purpose of getting to know and breaking the shyness,
- discussions on the proposed themes which are: possibilities of the regions in the labor market, possibilities for young people after schooling, recognizing the needs of the labor market, recognizing the needs of setting the business,
- brainstorming on preparing and presenting ideas, exchange of ideas,
- many team working activities,
- observing the good example of entrepreneurship during the company visit and discussing/getting information on how to set and run a company,
- designing the web-sites,
- peer to peer into exchange,
- creating presentations on the Youth in Action programme,
- creating presentations on the schools and regions,
- creating presentations reflecting the findings about labor market and running a company,
- learning through having fun,
- using diversity as a positive learning tool,
- learning by participating on activities designed in the project,
- promoting, presenting the work and findings,
- presenting working and having fun at the same time,
- centered-learning, as the participants will learn by themselves,
- learning by doing,
- taking responsibility for doing,
- developing social skills during the time while working together,
- taking initiative in the whole process of project running, e.g. from the very beginning while thinking out the activities and programme of the Activity, what steps should be taken to reach the target during activities, when preparing presentations and when presenting them,
- learning from inside,
- being active,
- interviewing the professionals in the business about setting and running a company, how to prepare business plan, what to think about when one wants to set a business,
- interviewing the local authorities, asking what is done and what must be done to help the young people after they finish their education,
- learning by organizing,
- decision making, etc.

Through the chosen working methods we have proven that the participating young people are going to be involved in every step of the project and the Activity from the very beginning. They have already been deciding on the programme and activities during the Activity and on what they would like to show their peers about their life and the surroundings and what needs to be prepared for the Activity (The Slovenian and the Slovak evening). The participants will present to the locals information on the Youth in Action programme as well as they will present their findings about the steps to take when one wants to set and run business. That needs to be active in deciding, preparing, presenting and evaluating themselves. This way they will gain IT skills, language skills and not least their personality skills and social skills.
All the activities and working methods I have described in this application form we have chosen with the participants with view to contribute the most to self-learning, self-guiding and self-assessing of all the participants while working out the project ideas.
The competences which we would develop by participating in the projects activities are:
1, a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes through promoting the recognition of youth work in the wider society and policy developments, focusing on employability and coping with future challenges.
2, We would support the process of learning to communicate in mother and foreign language via expressing ideas, opinions, feelings, needs in different situation, learning new words, expressions, terminologies, learning more about language by teaching it to others, learning different ways to present project by writing materials, making posters, etc.., improving active listening, using foreign language means being more confident, learning about culture through seeing.
3, Mathematical competence will develop when working on financial management, such as calculating, budgeting, controlling, planning expenses, solving problems, logic and critical thinking, analyzing, presenting facts, looking for data and analyzing them, evaluating the outcomes.
4, Digital competence would be gained through using IT, working and communicating (e-mail, Skype, Facebook..), producing and storing information, building a website, blogs and it would need to learn new PC programmes and applications.
5, Learning to learn would be achieved by being able to organize and manage the settled aims and objectives, identifying the best ways and means to achieve them, monitoring and evaluating their learning process. We believe that participating in project would be the way that the students will learn at the same time how to apply achieved competences in their personal and social life and how to increase the motivation and the feeling of self-confidence. Very important fact is that the participants will learn with and from the peers, which is very important in non-formal ways of learning.
6, Social and civic competences are new abilities in personal and interpersonal development gained when dealing with people who come from different social and cultural backgrounds, building trust among, working on respect and tolerance, coping in a constructive way with conflicts or avoiding them, dealing with uncertain situations they may face.
7, Competence of sense of initiative and entrepreneurship is inevitable part of the project objectives as the participants will turn the ideas into action, being creative and innovative, willing to take a risk, to plan and manage the project, organize support and cooperation to realize their idea, they certainly would learn about themselves, their talents and possibilities.
8, Cultural awareness and expression is a competence that would develop naturally while working together as learning about culture, it is a way how to express yourself. It is important to share and learn about traditions, culture, and cultural heritage for better understanding each other. A part of this learning will be producing a video and photo exhibition that can be shown to the local communities.

During the running time of the project, participants would need to decide what to put in presentations, what means, tools to use and as they need to prepare presentations on their work to the locals and other students, they will learn at the same time how to evaluate their own work by practicing it. Self-assessment and knowing how to assess the work of other is very important for everybody and we will provide the space for it during the time of project and the Activity every evening after daily activities throughout discussions pointing out likes and dislikes of what they have seen and heard.
All the participants on the Activity will be provided by the Youth pass to recognize the work they have done and for the recognition of competences they have gained.
While working out the project idea and its aims the participants will be learning by doing how to respect each other and will learn about the cultural and life approach diversity. When young people work and play actively, we believe that they develop intercultural perspective of the European space and the possibilities of that space which is being opened for them. Participation in the project will certainly broaden their understanding of others and this is the only way how to teach them to be open towards differences without prejudices.
As in our area are families with a very poor economic background and that resulted in a high rate of unemployment among young people who have fewer opportunities, we believe that this is the way how to break the ice and to show them not to worry to start their own business and others help to understand that it cannot be a reason for keeping any prejudice towards those less fortune. We want to put together young people from urban and rural areas where the possibilities to find an employment is very low and makes very difficult for them, after finishing the school attendance, to be active in no means. From the other point of view we want the young people will understand that being different in some way doesn´t mean something wrong, but the diversity is a contribution.

PROJECT 3: KIP, 2013

Globalization and the associated competitive countries bring many challenges and requirements. Slovenia is not and cannot be an exception. Research EIS ( European Innovation Scoreboard ), in which they analyzed the trends and indicators of innovation shows that Slovenia is a common innovation index ( SII ), which allows a comparison of innovation across the EU , with 0.35 below the EU average (0.45 ) and by far the most developed countries (especially Sweden ( 0.73 ) , Finland, Switzerland and Denmark ) . Further concern is the fact that Slovenia is lagging behind the correlation, since we were last year overtook example. Czech Republic. Reasons for this situation are many.

The objectives of
1 The general objectives:
• develop the abilities and skills of innovative thinking
• have the ability to critically assess,
• Ability to work in a team and organize your own work
• Be a part of the independent, tenacious and creative.

2 Guidance aims:
• to provide creative, innovative and entrepreneurial content for young people
• develop perseverance, self-confidence, critical thinking and creativity
• organize a competition for the best idea or product
• the best reward
• interact with the environment.

Starting from the definition of entrepreneurship , the objectives of teaching :
1 encourage the development of personal qualities that are relevant to entrepreneurship ;
2 understand the importance of entrepreneurship
3 and meet entrepreneurs and business work ;

Entrepreneurship education, which provides KIP promote:
• the ability to recognize life (not just business ) opportunities
• Ability to develop new ideas,
• ability to think in a creative and constructive way .

Teaching and learning methods

When teaching entrepreneurship is crucial to use active learning methods , such as group work , discussions and debates , role playing , thinking techniques , presentations, video cues and practical exercises and assignments that need to be problem-solving oriented . Emphasis will be on problem-based learning, group work, project work. Through this work the use of student knowledge on specific tasks or problem situations and to integrate theory with practice , while developing various skills such as :
• Creativity , innovation , entrepreneurship ,
• ability of oral and written communication ,
• skills of communication and cooperation within the group ,
• initiative,
• management skills , planning and organizing ,
• Time management and compliance deadlines
• flexibility
• Ability to solve problems
• taking responsibility,
• Ability to use information and communication technologies . ..

The pupil thus: Business thinking, critical thinking and facing a problem develops values , reflection and social intelligence and expressions (at the end of the program) your progress / achievement of project work (in competition to achieve the awards).

The aim is to encourage students to engage in creative thinking and develop creative potential, develop positive thinking, develop a positive attitude towards the environment, to develop entrepreneurial, organizational and leadership qualities, develop responsible behavior, and create the conditions for effective teamwork and to learn about rhetorical skills and develop rhetorical skills. In the activity, pupils develop entrepreneurial characteristics, with the gradual achievement of educational goals. In the search for new ideas and business concepts to develop creative thinking.