PUBLICATION INFORMATION
TITLE OF PUBLICATION
TALNET – PROJEKT PRO ZVIDAVOU MLADEZ (TALNET - A PROJECT FOR CURIOUS YOUTH)
NAME OF AUTHOR(S)
Lucie Kettnerova
LANGUAGE OF PUBLICATION
Czech
PUBLICATION TYPOLOGY
Web Article
TARGET GROUP OF PUBLICATION
School Directors, Young People, Teachers
SIZE OF THE PUBLICATION
1 - 2 pages
DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS
Talnet is a project designed for talented pupils. The main activity of the project is to search for young people interested in natural sciences and engineering and to increase their interest.
Talnet offers activities for those interested in science, technology and mathematics. This programme is opened to every pupil, there is no pre-selection, nor are there any age restrictions. Activities’ difficulty level corresponds to high school students with above average interest in the field. Participants are mostly aged 16 to 17. At this age, they are looking for their life direction and begin to clarify their future academic career. Pupils get individual mentoring there, and also more time to discuss their problems. They also find similarly oriented peers there.
The instructors try to pass the knowledge in the courses using interesting and creative ways, they use multimedia and experiments at home. The pupils work on various tasks first, led by experienced instructors, then they work on a seminar paper, for which the instructor serves both as supervisor and consultant. These papers are first defended online and later in person too (during the summer school). The system of work in Talnet is therefore a good means of training for university studies.
The article discuss also about a programme named Café Talnet. Selected members of scientific and academic community represent their activities and interesting issues in a lecture and discussion twice monthly. Students can also ask questions online. Talnet offers “on location” activities too: excursions with online support, international meetings with partner groups form Germany, Slovakia, Spain and many others.
Although Talnet is a project of the National Institute of Children and Youth, the implementer of the project is the Charles University in Prague. The project takes part in public events held by the Faculty every year. The main aim of these events is to show science as an attractive field.
This article is published on the iForum portal of the Charles University. The portal informs about current events at university. It is focused on students, but there is a lot of information for genenal public too. Its aim is to attract young people to science – for example section named “Science at the Charles University” shows science topics in an attractive way.
REVIEWER’S COMMENTS ON THE PUBLICATION
Today, with so many higher education and career choices, it is very important to point aspiring high school students into the direction of science and technical fields. Many students with even a slight interest and talent in technical subjects might be repulsed by the formal education process. Also, with the overall growing aversion of students to mathematics, physics and chemistry at basic school and high school, the importance of projects such as Talnet is emphasized even more. To draw and keep the student’s attention in the technical fields it is necessary to engage them in extracurricular thematic activities, which might not always be readily available in smaller towns and at regional institutions. And unless the members of the student’s family can provide support for such activities, many of the even slightly interested students might not find their way to the technical fields at all. Talnet, being mostly an on-line project, allows students to participate in scientific extracurricular activities with just internet connection and a little help from their teachers or parents.
As a research assistant and teacher of the first grade university students, I’m glad such activities as Talnet are being undertaken. Not only the interest of the high school students to study science/technical subjects is supported, but self-motivated and independent students are highly appreciated by the university teachers. Self-motivation and independent thinking, the two main assets needed for participation in a voluntary science project, help the students in orientation during the first years of their university studies.
However, as this program is mostly attended by students already interested in science/technical topics and the attendance is based on a recommendation by parents or teachers, it would be nice to see the project extend to a broader audience of students and high school teachers.
NAME OF THE REVIEWING ORGANISATION
Tereza Leonhadt, ICT Prague
Comments about this Publication
Your comments are welcome
Date: 2014.04.03
Posted by Miroslav Prokša (Slovakia)
Message: Talnet is a project of the National Institute of Children and Youth, the implementer of the project is the Charles University in Prague. This helps to integrate the recent findings in the field of chemistr and it is an open activity for young people interested in science. The publication suggest how to use ICTs in the teaching of chemistry (the project is primarily online). Pupils get individual mentoring there, and also more time to discuss their problems. In this process is no admission procedure and there are no admission conditions for involved students. Students can learn chemistry without fear. Is very positive that students can communicate with experts and experts with students. Publication is suitable and related to the objective of the project Chemistry is all around us network.
Date: 2013.12.19
Posted by Pavla Plackova (Czech Republic)
Message: Article named Talnet a Project For Curious Youth describes a project designed for students interested in science (includin chemistry).
The publication is relevant - author describes a successful experience about work with gifted students. The publication suggest how to use ICTs in the teaching of chemistry (the project is primarily online).
Talnet is a project of the National Institute of Children and Youth, the implementer of the project is the Charles University in Prague. This helps to integrate the recent findings in the field of chemistry.
The author describes a project very shortly. How courses are conducted? What activities are available to students on summer camps? How is the project founded? It is not described. Nevertheless I find this article as a useful for the Chemistry Is All Around Us Network Portal.
Date: 2013.12.13
Posted by Alzbeta Jantova (Czech Republic)
Message: The article shows a successful project named Talnet. It is an open activity for young people interested in science. There is no admission procedure and there are no admission conditions for involved students. Students can learn chemistry without fear.
Pupils get individual mentoring there, and also more time to discuss their problems. They also find similarly oriented peers there. In my opinion, this is the key of success of this project. I find also very useful that students can communicate with experts and experts with students.
This article is suitable and related to the objective of the project Chemistry is all around us - network.
