EDU-ARCTIC also helps give teachers the skills and tools they need to succeed. Over the duration of the project, EDU-ARCTIC is organising three Educator Forums – one each in three different parts of Europe.

The forums will focus on training teachers in methodologies that can help them optimally use EDU-ARCTIC in their science, technology, engineering and mathematics classes. Each workshop will:

• Explain the project and its potential.
• Train teachers in how to use the project effectively.
• Familiarise the teachers with the portal as well as polar research and earth science issues.
• Provide expert knowledge that enables teachers to feel more comfortable with certain topics and help them prepare lessons on the subject with confidence.
• Provide additional educational and promotional material.

Another major objective of the workshops it to collect feedback on how EDU-ARCTIC can be improved. We are interested to hear recommendations about topics that could be introduced within the project in order to accommodate the programme to different users’ needs and organizational capacities.

Workshops are planned in three different parts of Europe: One in France for teachers from Western and Southern Europe, one in Poland for teachers in Central and Eastern Europe, and one in Norway for teachers from northern Europe.

In order to gather as many country representatives as possible, at least one teacher from each country will receive a special grant to cover travel and insurance expenses. Accommodation, food and workshop materials will be provided by the organisers. Promotional materials will be produced ahead of the meeting and handed out to teachers participating in the workshops. Teachers participating in the workshops will be asked to become local ambassadors of the project and distribute information and promotional materials about the project within their respective countries to enhance the educational program’s audience.

EDU-ARCTIC also seeks cooperation with teachers and teacher organizations on local, regional, national and pan-European levels – especially those focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. This effort will notably involve Scientix along with similar organisations.