Joensuu Way is a global educational event for schools. It is based on two events: ENO Conference and SciFest- Finland. This event took place in the city of Joensuu, Finland. Schools got a chance to know about the city, visit local schools and Finnish forest. They also shared projects of science, technology and environment in the workshops of SciFest- Finland. Environmental themes were climate change and forests.
II) Introduction
After our successful participation in ENO Campaign, we were invited to Joensuu Way. Participants from all over the world took part in this event. It took place from April 13th till 18th in Joensuu, Finland. The event consisted of two parts: presentations and Scifest.
III) Programme:
Day One: A Visit to Lyseo School
Day Two: A Visit to Kukkola Farm
Day Three: ENO conference / SciFest
Day Four: ENO Conference / Sci Fest
IV) Observations
A) Day One
Lyseo School:
The visit to Lyseo School was indeed a very important one. It gave a picture of how a modern school should look like. The meeting with the teachers there gave us an apt notion of how work is getting done there. Then, we went around school, each group accompanied by a teacher. We went into the different classrooms and had a look at the very modern tools used in presenting the materials. We also had a chance of attending classrooms, like English, Math, and Science. Going around school, and observing students, we had the feeling that they enjoyed their school experience and their time there due to the facilities that are given and the fact that they get to choose for themselves some of the optional classes thus making them aware of their strong points and developing their skills. We noticed the spacious lockers yet built in a way to take a small part of the hall. We also noticed the colorful floors of the school which definitely brings a feeling of cheerfulness and freshness and consequently has a very positive impact on the students, teachers, and all the school staff. Creating a space for students to express themselves and feel at ease is an important component of Lyseo School. Students were not wearing shoes, others were resting on comfortable coaches outside their classes until the bell rings. Others were either playing cards during recess or browsing the net. Some even had a job to do. They were responsible for selling snacks and juice at the school's shop near the cafeteria.
B) Day Two
Kukkola Farm:
The visit to the farm gave participants a chance to explore the natural life. We stopped at various parts of the farm and information about different aspects of the forest life was explained. First, an explanation of how work is done in this forest was given to participants. Then a discussion about the life cycle of trees was presented and the plan that is followed to ensure that natural life is always preserved. A brief presentation about the material made from wood and the plants and fruits that grow was given. Participants had the chance to even taste some of the fruits.
C) Day Three/ Four
A- Presentations
Some of the participating countries had a chance to inform others about their cultures and traditions. They had places to present material from their lands. The materials varied from posters to hand- made accessories and souvenirs. Some participants even chose to show their folk dances. It was a great chance to enrich people's knowledge about cultures from all over the world. In day four, the American astronaut Harrison Schmitt gave a very interesting presentation about his landing on to the moon. He described the whole experience and the preparations that took place, before, during, and after the voyage.
SciFest, Science Festival, was one of the best shows. Students displayed inventions that they came up with and brought materials to give participants a chance to experience for themselves. Concepts taken from Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Geometry, Computers were presented in a new and advanced way. The objective was to expand a person's knowledge, broaden his/her horizons, and go from what is common to what is uncommon and unusual but at the same time more fruitful and effective. Some examples of what was displayed include robots, visual illusions, 3D glasses, geometrical shapes using simple material like marsh mellows and macaroni, eye tracking programs, electrical balls, rocket making and launching through using simple material, and different inventions.
V) Projects
Attending Joensuu Way was a very rich experience. It has added to our efforts to always introducing and practicing what is new yet effective in the way to achieving academic development for our students. After the observations, we gave our initial agreement to fulfill two projects that promise to be fruitful for our teachers and pupils as well.
The first project has to do with professional development for teachers. It is an online teacher training program: MKFC Stockholm College: End-to- End eLearning. Thus in order for this project to be launched, some procedures have to take place, the most important of which is the funding part.
Since our students already have an idea of connecting classrooms and having links with students from all over the world, we will move further with this international project. This time we chose India: Sahibzada Ajit Singh Academy. Now we have links with United States of America (Alabama), Europe (Scotland), and hopefully Asia (India).
Moreover, the presentation that was given by the American astronaut Harrison Schmitt was videotaped and we are planning to show it at school to our students.
VI) Future Plans
Developing global citizens is one of our main objectives. Next year, we are planning of having some of our students participate and be ambassadors of Lebanon in Joensuu Way 2010. We will have a presentation about Lebanon. Lebanon will be present in its history, culture, traditions, and famous figures. Added to it is Beirut World Book Capital.
As for the SciFest, Science Festival, we will also have a share in it. Tackling creativity and trying to come up with new material is quite challenging. It would be very interesting to see what can be done by students and the science teacher next year. Hopefully, to successfully complete this project, it would be set from the beginning of the next academic year.
VII) Recommendations
It is strongly recommended that the involvement would not be limited to Makassed Khalil Shehab School. It would be very fruitful if all Makassed Schools had an idea about this project since it is not only aimed to primary grades but also to intermediate and secondary. In this way, Makassed would be presented in all its schools and would be the representative of Lebanon there. Parents should also be involved. Their enthusiasm to what is being done will hopefully increase the number of students that might be able to go there especially from intermediate and secondary classes. We hope that you give your assent to our proposal to ensure an interesting and beneficial experience to our pupils thus nurturing their mind and developing their creativity and potentials.
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