Fourth LTTA meeting in Turkey
Head master Yusuf Aka, deputy head master and school coordinator Musa Öztürk, English teacher Gökselin Bahar Hayal and other teachers and students from TOKİ ŞHT YZB. ERHAN KINDIR İLKOKULU in KARACBEY, Turkey were the hosts of the fourth meeting of the "Coding is Fun!" project implemented under the Erasmus + program. During their stay, teachers from partner countries: Spain, Belgium, Portugal and Poland learned about the Turkish education system and the rules of working with younger children in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades and in the kindergarten section. The main purpose of the visit was to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) workshops, in which 15 teachers from partner countries and several from the host group took part.
On the first training day, a meeting with students and school staff took place. Children cheerfully greeted the guests presenting the flags of all partner countries. Then the teachers had the opportunity to visit the school, talk to teachers from Turkey about the methods of conducting classes and the education system, while improving their language competences.
A very important element was the "STEM WORKSHOPS" classes, during which teachers and students designed and built propeller-driven cars. Thanks to the creativity of children, colorful electric vehicles were created and then set the propellers in motion without any problems. The teachers also had the opportunity to show cleverness and great skills by setting small plastic helicopters in motion. There was a small competition - the teacher who managed to launch the helicopter the highest was the winner.
The next workshops took place in the kindergarten group. Children and teachers solved mathematical puzzles and applied simple coding rules. It was an amazing fun combined with learning, which made both children and teachers happy.
The second day of the workshop was building rockets from recyclable materials. The teachers and the children were divided into teams and they showed a great imagination in creating spaceships.
The school also hosted workshops related to Turkish culture and customs. The teachers made bracelets of red and white yarn called "Martenicka". Red color symbolizes blood and life, while white - purity and happiness. Martenice is carried on hands until the first blossoming tree or the first spring stork is noticed. They are then hung on a tree.
For coffee gourmets, special Turkish coffee workshops have been prepared.
Then teachers from partner schools visited GUHEM Aviation and Space Base in Bursa. In this interactive learning center you can follow a human's dreams of flying and the development of aviation. You can also discover the mysteries of the space in a fun and exciting way.
The next point was a meeting with the main project coordinator - Ms Ewelina Pietrzyk, in order to summarize the project activities of the "Coding is Fun!" team so far and discussing the next tasks before the last visit to Poland.
During their stay in Turkey, teachers from partner schools were invited to a meeting with the mayor of Karacabey. The delegation of the project teachers was received with great openness and kindness. Coordinators from individual countries handed the hosts small gifts related to their localities.
