GEO-Academy

The GEO-Academy is an Erasmus+ Teacher Academy project running from 2023 to 2026. Its goal is to equip teachers across Europe with innovative GEO tools and concepts to effectively integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into their teaching. The project focuses on fostering digital, green and spatial skills, enabling educators to act as reflective practitioners and co-designers of curricula.

At the core of the program are advanced geotechnologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), Earth Observation (EO), and Geospatial Storytelling. The aim is to incorporate these technologies into easily accessible teaching materials. These resources, available in six languages, are delivered in flexible formats (online, hybrid, and on-site), supporting teachers in creating interdisciplinary, modern, and practical lessons.

Objectives of the Project

The GEO-Academy pursues ambitious goals to empower teachers and schools:

• Enhancing digital skills: Integrating GIS, RS, and EO as bridges for cross-disciplinary teaching approaches.
• Innovative teaching methods: Leveraging digital technologies and storytelling to create engaging learning environments.
• Professional development: Offering flexible training based on state-of-the-art educational approaches to enable teachers to confidently address ESD topics.
• Raising awareness of sustainability: Developing activities on environmental and climate change topics to prepare students for STEM careers and contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Schools as innovation hubs: Supporting schools in driving social innovation and promoting environmentally responsible actions.

Methodology and Implementation

The project is grounded in scientific and evidence-based approaches. Experts in geosciences, environmental sciences, and education collaborate to develop an educational framework based on three pillars of competence: digital, green and spatial skills. This framework is translated into teaching materials and training programs for educators.

The GEO-Academy identifies six key geographic topics as a starting point for integrating scientific insights into education. Alongside cross-disciplinary team teaching, teachers apply cutting-edge learning methods to foster awareness of global challenges.

With a European network of 12 partner organizations across 7 countries, the GEO-Academy creates a platform for forward-thinking teaching and learning – building a sustainable and environmentally conscious generation.

Project Duration: Jun2023 – Jun2026
Project Webseite: https://explore-project.eu/

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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