Overview
The SEISMO-Lab project prepares teachers and students to create participatory, inclusive, and cross-curricular learning activities, encouraging students to engage in projects that enhance problem-solving skills, creativity, and hands-on learning. These activities aim to build key competencies (beyond scientific ones) by tailoring tasks to the local context, utilizing problem-solving abilities, studying selected scenarios, and involving students in meaningful and motivating research projects on earthquake impact mitigation.
Additionally, SEISMO-Lab establishes a teacher training program to support educators in setting up SEISMO-Lab facilities. The program includes training in innovative methods such as inquiry-based and experiential learning. Teachers will be empowered to develop and lead bottom-up STEAM learning programs in their schools. These programs will help students practice skills beyond STEM, fostering independence, collaboration, mentorship, and critical inquiry into their place in the world.
Expected Outcomes
1. SEISMO-Lab Framework Methodology for Establishing STEAM Competency Laboratories
Deadline: October 30, 2022 (EA)
This methodology outlines the educational criteria for creating laboratories and proposed pedagogical activities. It provides guidance for schools and teachers on establishing labs, interconnecting STEM programs, and applying the STEAM approach in science teaching.
2. SEISMO-Lab Demonstrators
Deadline: December 31, 2022 (INFP)
A set of educational scenarios (Demonstrators) will be developed to meet the framework methodology’s criteria. These demonstrators will serve as concrete examples for teachers and inspiration for additional activities in school laboratories. The package will include materials for workshops and summer schools to test the demonstrators. The SEISMO-Lab Demonstrators will be available in all official languages of the participating countries.
3. SEISMO-Lab Online Platform for Teachers
Deadline: October 31, 2023 (NOA)
The platform aims to expand the existing network of school-based seismic instruments to 100 SEISMO-Lab schools. Schools will either be equipped with affordable seismometers (e.g., TC1, RaspberryShake) or trained to build devices as part of student projects or competitions initiated during the project.
4. SEISMO-Lab Toolkit
Deadline: October 31, 2023 (EA)
The toolkit and teacher training program will prepare educators to implement SEISMO-Labs in their schools, with guidance on methodologies and pedagogical practices. It includes:
- Pedagogical guides
- SEISMO-Lab Demonstrators
- Information on educational seismology
- Instructions for building affordable seismometers (for selected schools)
The toolkit complements workshops and seminars, supporting the design of seismology-based educational activities and innovative, competency-focused teaching approaches for 21st-century skills.
5. SEISMO-Lab Evaluation and Analysis Methodology
Deadline: October 31, 2023 (UCY)
This activity involves developing evaluation methodologies, indicators, processes, and tools, forming the PR4 intellectual output. The final project phase will consolidate results, reflect on challenges, and provide recommendations documented in PR5 for future use.
Implementation Period
June 2022 – February 2024
Project Partners
- National Observatory of Athens (NOA)
- Ellinogermaniki Agogi (EA)
- National Institute for Earth Physics (INFP)
- University of Cyprus
- Fondazione Idis-Città della Scienza
- Bahçeşehir College, Turkey
The SEISMO-Lab project aims to establish a solid foundation for integrating seismology education into schools while fostering innovative teaching methods and practical engagement with scientific concepts.