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On February 24-26, a group of representatives of Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) visited the University of Valladolid in Spain within the framework of a program of the Center for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines of ASPU. The group included Artur Tadevosyan, Head of the Chair of Informatics and Its Teaching Methods, Samvel Pipoyan, Head of the Chair of Biology, Chemistry and their Teaching Methods, Angela Minasyan, Lecturer at the Chair of Mathematics and Its Teaching Methods, and Anush Danielyan, Assistant Professor at the Chair of Physics and Its Teaching Methods.
The aim of the visit of the STEM specialists was to study the activity and experience of similar centers of leading universities in order to make the activity of the ASPU Center of Excellence more effective.
During the visit, the ASPU representatives got acquainted with the structure of the Spanish university and the faculties of education, science, medicine, philosophy and history, and information technology. Then, the administrative staff of the Faculty of Education introduced the guests to the peculiarities of the educational program implemented by the Faculty.
"The main hours in the educational program were allocated to pedagogical subjects, teaching methods, and preparation of didactic materials. Students were taught how to teach. STEM subjects at the university also include Art subjects (painting, music), that’s why STEM is called STEAM there,” Artur Tadevosyan said in conversation with old.aspu.am.
The ASPU representatives also visited the Segovia campus of the University of Valladolid, which trains and prepares elementary school teachers. In particular, in primary grades, environmental projects related to climate changes are implemented through the STEAM subject.
Apart from being listeners and observers, the ASPU representatives were also given the opportunity to participate in a practical STEAM lesson, where students worked in groups on the task "How to make a homemade flying machine fly long distances?"
At the University of Valladolid, the group also participated in a seminar on project implementation organized within the framework of the STEAM subject through the FERTILE platform.
The guests also visited the Chemistry Lab of the University of Valladolid, where they learned details about a project aimed at integrating science and sociology in education.
The group also visited the Rector’s Office of the University of Valladolid, and various laboratories equipped with modern scientific and educational appliances, where students have the opportunity to carry out research.
On the sidelines of the visit to Valladolid, the group also visited the Catholic school (School Nuestra Señora de Lourdes), where they met and had discussions with the school leadership.
The ASPU delegates are convinced that the experience gained during the visits, discussions, and seminars will help draft the educational part of the ASPU Center of Excellence especially regarding the STEM subjects.
