SYNAPSES Evaluated Resources
On this page you can find all resources that have been identified and evaluated by the SYNAPSES consortium. Are you looking for resources specifically for you? Use the filtering system on the left.
For a description of the Aims and Learning Outomes (LO) refer to this page.
Challenge Based Learning Guide and Toolkit
This Guide to Challenge Based Learning and online toolkit are designed to introduce educators to this student-centred approach to learning in a real world, interdisciplinary way.
Inclusive science education and art
This resource links to a micro-credential course on inclusive science education and art through the Open-Ended scenario Framework.
Active Classroom Strategies
The Active Classroom Strategies presented by the Junior Cycle for Teachers service in Ireland are student-centred active teaching methodologies designed to support the development of key skills and competencies in students such as ‘Managing Information & Thinking’ and ‘Working with Others’.
Climate Action and Light Pollution Threat (CliC-PoLiT)
The Climate Action and Light Pollution Threat (CliC-PoLiT) project tackles climate change, urban sustainability, and light pollution through interdisciplinary approaches. It empowers students to address real-world environmental issues, fostering problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills. Students share their findings with communities, enhancing societal awareness and engagement.
Museum of Open Windows
Museum of Open Windows podcast guides students through their local environment, encouraging them to engage directly with the ecosystem to identify signs of climate change. Photos, sound recordings and videos of their discoveries will create a local exhibition on the impact of climate change.
Beat the Flood
This hands-on STEM project challenges students to design and build model flood-resistant homes while exploring the science behind climate change, sustainable engineering, and disaster resilience. Through teamwork and problem-solving, students develop critical thinking and creativity in addressing real-world environmental challenges.
Data Explorers: Minecraft Education
Data Explorers is an action-packed learning experience on Minecraft Education, using data skills to protect our planet. Created by World’s Largest Lesson in collaboration with NetApp, the online game lets students use their skills to travel through portals, battle minions, and restore vital knowledge to protect Planet Earth.
5 Minute Sustainability
This series of impactful student-led videos can stimulate interesting discussions, create awareness and empower schools to tackle the climate and nature emergency. Each video is on a new topic and highlights feasible, actionable steps to combat climate change, manage energy, reduce waste and improve biodiversity in your schools.
Creating a Science Trail
Science Trails are student-designed paths with stops that raise awareness on community-relevant topics. Teachers guide students in integrating subjects, exploring surroundings, engaging stakeholders, and creating stations that highlight the community’s uniqueness.
KWL Chart – Active Methodology
This active teaching method allows students to express what they Know (K), Want to Know (W) and what they have Learned (L) from a lesson. By being aware of students’ interests and prior knowledge, the teacher can create projects and assignments that are both challenging and enjoyable for the students.
Numeracy in the News
Created with support from data experts at The Economist, the 6-hour scheme of work helps 10-16 year-olds explore examples in the news, hear from data journalists and interrogate the reliability of data across four lively lessons before reflecting on their learning.
Whole-School Sustainability Framework
This is a framework for embedding sustainability throughout school operations, teaching, and culture. It outlines a vision for whole-school transformation through leadership, systems thinking and shared values.
Futures Literacy Lab
This tool guides participants through a Futures Literacy Lab, a practical method to help us reveal, reframe and rethink our assumptions to imagine the future.
Leadership for Change
Leadership for Change is a six-lesson curriculum designed for the next generation of leaders. Students will hear from inspiring leaders and apply the skills they develop to address local challenges. The first lesson is hosted on the Synapses Portal, with the remainder available from the Economist Educational Foundation website.
Oil or the environment? A role-play on the climate change debate
The resource introduces role-play as a teaching method, fostering social skills, critical thinking, and decision-making. It engages students in debating environmental and economic trade-offs through a simulated oil extraction dilemma. The activity develops awareness of climate change, power dynamics, and sustainability challenges in a hands-on learning experience.
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