Geosciences at school: didactic experiences in Palaeontology

Rossana Sanfilippo (1), Antonietta Rosso (1) & Eleonora Irene Magrì (1,2)
(1) Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Corso Italia 57, 95129, Università di Catania, Italia. (2) Liceo Scientifico Statale E. Boggio Lera, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 346/348, 95124, Catania, Italia. Corresponding author e-mail: sanfiros@unict.it

This paper describes a series of actions and projects based on a collaborative school-university effort, to achieve student orientation, to sharpen interest in geosciences by high school students and to consolidate knowledge on these disciplines by teachers through practical experiences. Proposed actions contributed to build teacher’s practical and personal experience. Didactic divulgation of geo-palaeontological topics was carried out by researchers from the University of Catania in several high schools in Sicily and Lombardy. We first introduce the background and methods for these activities. Then we describe the projects in which activities are included, analysing activities and best practices looking into the processes that students went through in learning. Finally, we discuss issues related to the university-school collaboration and the conditions that are essential for an effective synergy.

School-university interaction, active/cooperative learning, laboratory activities, museum paths.