ECBA – SYNAPSES International Course 2025

SYNAPSES – Erasmus+ School Heads and Teacher Training Academy Establishing Teacher Education Networks and Communities of Practice on Teaching for Sustainability CitizenshipThe course is Accredited by the University of Bayreuth and endorsed by the European Physical Society, the European Countries Biologists Association and the European School Heads Association.

The SYNAPSES International Development Course is part of the International Erasmus+ School Heads and Teacher Training Academy on Teaching for Sustainability Citizenship. It aims to ensure and safeguard the long-term impact of the proposed activities while expanding teachers’ pre- and in-service training opportunities, aligned with a standards-based framework that promotes continuous professional development and lifelong learning. The SYNAPSES Academy aspires to build a robust training ecosystem in which all elements are interconnected. This includes formal and informal training opportunities, short- and long-term courses, self-paced activities, social learning, mentoring, virtual events, and practical workshops, as well as participation in job shadowing, communities of practice, conferences, seminars, and short-term summer or winter schools.

A wide range of training activities, offered locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, empowers teachers to design and deliver effective lessons using inquiry-based, project-based, and game-based instructional methods, supported by tools such as scientific data archives, virtual or remote experimentation, and animations. In parallel, opportunities for mobility (study visits, meetings, conferences, contests, competitions) provide valuable chances to learn from diverse educational contexts and expand professional networks. Together, these initiatives establish the Academy as a dynamic forum for exchanging knowledge, best practices, and innovative strategies for environmental education and sustainability.

Through the SYNAPSES International Development Course, educators also gain access to resources and support that promote environmentally focused educational activities and events, encourage integration across stakeholder groups and disciplines, identify and disseminate best practices, and foster collaboration with the scientific community and other entities committed to environmental education. By participating in the SYNAPSES Course, teachers will achieve the following learning outcomes:

• Design innovative lessons that integrate inquiry-based, project-based, and game-based instructional methods using innovative tools.
• Develop and implement sustainability-focused curricula that address environmental topics, climate change, and responsible citizenship across multiple subjects.
• Enhance collaboration and networking skills by engaging in communities of practice, job shadowing, and conferences, ensuring continuous professional growth and resource sharing.
• Strengthen cross-cultural competence by working with peers from diverse backgrounds and regions, broadening perspectives on global environmental challenges.
• Leverage mobility opportunities (e.g., study visits, seminars, contests) to access a range of best practices, thereby advancing ongoing professional development.
• Integrate interdisciplinary approaches by collaborating with various stakeholders (scientific communities, environmental organizations, and other schools) to create holistic educational experiences that address complex sustainability issues.

If you want to participate: mail us at h.smit@ecba.eu