On November 23, 2023, Dr. Nathália Helena Azevedo, one of our colleagues, took the stage, leading a captivating one-hour workshop titled "Learning Science Outside the Classroom: Designing Activities for a Sustainable Future" at the professional development event jointly organized by the Center for Learning and Teaching (University of Groningen) and NHL Stenden Hogeschool.
Approximately 50 preservice elementary international teachers from NHL Stenden Hogeschool, a distinguished international higher education institution in Meppel, NL, actively participated in this event.
During the workshop, preservice teachers seized the opportunity to delve into strategies that bring STEAM activities beyond the confines of the traditional classroom. Immersed in the outcomes of the OTTER project, they specifically engaged with the OTTER Lab methodology through a series of exercises designed to navigate the stages of Prepare, Orientate, Discover, Make an Impact, and Reflect.
The preservice teachers were enthused by a matrix introduced during the workshop, designed by the OTTER consortium to craft learning goals that seamlessly integrate 21st Century Competencies, Sustainable Development Goals, and Inclusion & Diversity. Eagerly, they embraced the challenge of creating their preliminary OTTER Labs and demonstrated a keen interest in discussions revolving around assessment strategies tailored for this innovative teaching format.
