Based on the goals and vision of the OTTERS project, the objectives of the training course designed for primary and secondary school teachers summarize in the following:

• Introduction to Citizen Science (CS): Provide teachers with a comprehensive understanding of citizen science, emphasizing its role as a tool for fostering citizen engagement and stewardship in the marine and freshwater domains. Familiarize teachers with the vision and mission of the OTTERS project, emphasizing the goal of societal transformation for sustainable marine and freshwater ecosystems through citizen science.
• Integration of CS  into School Curriculum & Methods of Data Collection Guide teachers on how to effectively integrate citizen science principles into their school curriculum, making it relevant and engaging for secondary school students. Train teachers on standardized methods of collecting data, ensuring alignment with policy and scientific objectives and standards. Emphasize the importance of overcoming institutional and ethical challenges in the process.
• Promoting Environmental Stewardship: Empower teachers to use citizen science not only as a means of data collection but also as a tool for changing hearts and fostering a sense of agency among students, ultimately contributing to the health of ecosystems and human well-being.
• Assessment and Impact Measurement: Equip teachers with the tools and methodologies to assess the effectiveness of citizen science for research and innovation. Provide guidance on measuring the impact of citizen science campaigns on student behavior and their understanding of marine and freshwater environments.
• Digital Data Collection and Technology Integration: Promote the use of digital tools and technologies for data collection and participatory research. Provide hands-on training on using digital applications and testing kits, enabling teachers and students to collect data and observations effectively

These objectives aim to empower primary & secondary school teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully integrate citizen science into their teaching practices, aligning with the goals of the OTTERS project.

The OTTERS Summer School aims to foster high engagement, creativity, and interactivity in its design. Participants, comprising teachers, will collaborate both individually and in small groups, enabling them to interact with educators from diverse countries. This collaborative setting facilitates the exchange of ideas and experiences, fostering the development of comprehensive lesson plans and group activities that embody the key elements of successful interdisciplinary science initiatives.

The program spans six days, encompassing a total of 25 workshop hours. This includes 9 hours of lectures and demonstrations, followed by 16 hours of hands-on workshops. Lectures and demonstrations will take place in an auditorium equipped with a data projector and a laptop. The hands-on workshops will be conducted in a multimedia laboratory, providing each participant with direct access to a laptop with internet connectivity to carry out planned exercises.

Integral to the training activities is the emphasis on feedback collection and communal discussions among participants. A dedicated platform will be provided to facilitate the exchange of ideas and in-depth discussions regarding the requirements of the tools presented. This collaborative approach aims to contribute to the ongoing development, efficiency maximization, and adaptability enhancement of the tools introduced during the program.

To facilitate effective preparation for the training course, an online platform will serve as the central hub for communication, sharing, and distributing preparatory materials among participants. This platform will provide participants with comprehensive access to all necessary preparation materials, including suggested readings, digital tools, relevant websites, guidelines, and supporting materials. It will also serve as a shared workspace for collaboration.

Additionally, the website will house essential information about the training course, such as the course description, program details, and guidelines for travel and accommodation. Participants can conveniently access all relevant details through the platform.

Participants are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the training topics and course methodology by exploring the available resources, materials, and tools. Based on their interests, they will be invited to join one of the working groups, each focusing on a different main topic.

Upon the conclusion of the course and the presentation of their work on the final day, participants will be awarded a training certificate, affirming the successful completion of the course and attainment of its objectives.

As part of the OTTERS community, participants will gain access to ongoing support from the training team. They will also have the opportunity to engage with fellow educators across European countries who share common interests. This community platform enables participants to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on joint activities.

By organizing training sessions, participants can extend the reach of their work and serve as catalysts, inspiring more teachers to integrate OTTERS tools and services into their teaching practices.

To gauge the effectiveness of the course in meeting its objectives, participants will be required to respond to a set of relevant questionnaires provided by the course providers, both during and at the conclusion of the course. The results, encapsulated in an evaluation report or survey, will be made accessible to all course participants.

Course fee

The course fee for all ESIA Summer Schools is 480€ (80€/per day) and fully within the funding opportunities of the Erasmus+ Programme.

The course fee covers:

• Expert lecturers for lectures, seminars and workshops
• All materials and equipment needed for the course
• Participation in the social programme & excursions (e.g. Sunset and dinner at Cape Sounio, excursion to the Acropolis and visit to the Acropolis Museum and dinner in downtown Athens, traditional night and farewell dinner, etc.)

Subsistence & accommodation

The Summer School will be held at Golden Coast Hotel & Bungalows, an A-class/ 4-star sea-side hotel which stretches on the golden, sandy beach of the Marathon Bay, near the historic location of Marathon, at the outskirts of Athens.

ESIA has made special arrangement with the hotel and are happy to offer to all participants a single or double room with all-inclusive services (i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and free of charge services for outdoors sports and recreational activities).

The costs for subsistence are also within the ceilings of the Erasmus+ programme for KA1 mobility actions.

ACCOMMODATION AT GOLDEN COAST HOTEL 2024

COST FOR THE PARTICIPANTS (All Inclusive)

• Per person in SINGLE:  138 €/per night
• Per person in DOUBLE:  95 €/per night

Extra persons (All Inclusive)

• TRIPLE room: 85 €/per person/per night

EXTRA SERVICES (the following refers to other project participants that don’t pay the course fee)

TOURS & EXCURSIONS

Cape Sounio Tour (Price:  90 €/per person)
Monday @ 18:00
Includes:

• • Transport by bus (Golden Coast – Cape Sounio – Golden Coast)
  • Guided tour of Poseidon temple with Professional and Lisensed guide
  • Entrance fees of the Temple of Poseidon
  • Lunch at local tavern
  • All taxes

Athens tour & Acropolis Museum (Price: 120 €/per person)
Wednesday @ 16:00
Includes:

• • Transport by bus (Golden Coast – Athens – Golden Coast)
  • Short panoramic tour by bus of historic center of Athens
  • Services of a Professional and licensed guide
  • Entrance fees of Acropolis museum
  • Lunch at local tavern
  • All taxes

+ Entrance fees to the Acropolis Archaeological Site ticket cost of 20 €/per person.

*** The above prices are calculated based on current costs, tickets to museums / archeological sites, fuel cost, VAT

The Summer School will be held at Golden Coast Hotel & Bungalows, an A-class/ 4-star sea-side hotel which stretches on the golden, sandy beach of the Marathon Bay, near the historic location of Marathon, at the outskirts of Athens.

It is the area of Marathon, that has hosted since the times of myths when Theseus killed the terrible bull of Marathon, to the times of the Persian wars and the Battle of Marathon, further on to our days and the marathon race and Marathon Run, the emblematic symbol of man’s quest for freedom and the will to defend his most noble deeds which constitute the foundations of the Human civilization. The plethora of natural, historical sites and museums of the area reveal in all details this unique historical voyage.

Participants are expected to arrive through the Athens International Airport, approximately 25 km (15,53 miles) distance from the hotel.

Learn More…

School Heads and Teachers participation in the summer courses can be funded by the ERASMUS+ Programme.

In case your school or organization does not have the funds to cover the costs of your participation in the Summer School, there is another option: you can apply to be funded by by the ERASMUS+ Programme.

Please note that the Erasmus+ KA1 application can only be submitted by the school or the organization – no individual applications can be submitted.

The deadline for application is 20 February 2024.

What is ERASMUS+?

Erasmus+ is the European Commission’s Programme for education, training, youth, and sport for the period 2021-2027. As an integrated programme, Erasmus+ offers more opportunities for the mobility of learners and staff and cooperation across the education, training, and youth sectors and is easier to access than its predecessors, with simplified funding rules and a structure that aims to streamline the administration of the programme.

Erasmus+ Key Action 1 (KA1) provides a unique opportunity for teachers, headmasters, trainers, and other staff of educational institutions to participate in international training courses in different European countries. Schools, universities, vocational education and training, and adult education organizations are all eligible to receive full funding to attend courses under a KA1 mobility grant. The Erasmus+ KA1 grant covers all the costs to attend teacher training courses: including travel, subsistence, and course fee.

For up-to-date information about Erasmus+ please check the Programme’s website. Your school will need to apply to your country’s National Agency, who is also the one who will evaluate the proposal. Therefore, your National Agency is also a very good point to start for more information.

Don’t forget to go through the the New Programme Guide and you will have all you need to know.

The steps to apply for an Erasmus+ KA1 School Education Staff Mobility grant are:

1. Fill in the registration form to our Summer School with your details. This is an individual registration form, so if there are more than one participant from the same school, each one will have to submit a separate registration form. This way you have reserved a slot in the course in case your application for Erasmus+ funding is successful!
2. Register your school/organization here: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-esc/index/ , if not already registered.
3. Check the compliance with the programme criteria
4. Check the financial conditions
5. Fill in and submit the application form
6. Respect the deadline
7. Do not forget to inform us as soon as you get notified from your National Agency whether your grant application is accepted or rejected.

You can find all related information about submitting an Erasmus+ Application HERE.

We will be happy to guide you through the process.