Students still reject Mathematics, a subject that starts in the early literacy levels and perpetuates into adulthood. However, it is up to the teachers to try to change the misconception that Mathematics is a difficult and complicated subject. At Colégio Bernardette Romeira our teachers highlight the importance of Mathematics in everyday life, adapting the methodology to the reality of the class, establishing mathematical connections between new concepts and those previously studied. They also promote affective relationships between students and open dialogue in the classroom, assuming the role of mediators and building knowledge through dialogue and interaction, so that students become aware of the importance of the subject and how it is present in everything that surrounds us.

Students participate in several competitions, such as Canguru Matemático, Pangea and Olimpíadas da Matemática, so that students realise that mathematics is in solving challenges both in everyday life and not just academic. At the beginning of each school year, possible gaps from previous years are diagnosed and support groups are set up so that students with more difficulties can have reinforcement classes.

Science (Physics and Chemistry sciences and Biology) are a dynamic part of our students’ daily life from an early age. At pre-school, appropriate activities for their age group are carried out to develop scientific curiosity from an early age. From the 1st cycle onwards, and continuing through the 2nd and 3rd cycles, a diversified set of activities is planned for each year and meets the curriculum followed in both Portuguese and English, to complement learning. These activities can take place both in the classroom and outside, where students participate enthusiastically. The Physics and Chemistry and Biology laboratories have highly specialised equipment and materials.

Colégio Bernardette Romeira is located between the mountains and the sea, which allows activities that enable students to consolidate their learning in a fun and interactive way. The school is near Ria Formosa, which allows students to acquire knowledge through frequent visits to the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

In order to protect and preserve the lagoon system, namely its flora and fauna, including migratory species, and their habitats, environmental education is promoted by CBR so that the students become citizens aware of these environmental issues.

The students are also regular participants in the activities organised by the University of Algarve, either in practical activities or by attending conferences. To promote enthusiasm for science, students participate in activities organised at both regional and national level, such as the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the periodic table or the Olimpíadas da Química Competitions.

The taste for science is stimulated through the presence of scientists in class through lectures on topics related to the science curriculum. This year we invited the Portuguese astrophysicist, Dr David Sobral, from Lancaster University (UK), to share his discovery of the Galaxy CR7. This talk was important to show our students the popularity of Portuguese scientists in the scientific community worldwide.

Colégio Bernardette Romeira is committed to the use of new technologies. We provide all the equipment to promote technological skills, which will be important in the society of the future. The ICT Room has 25 computers and an interactive board, which allows 1 student per computer in each class.

Besides the curricular ICT subject for the 2nd and 3rd cycles, the school also offers Probotics in the 1st cycle. These subjects are organised into various areas, such as Computational Thinking, Programming, Robotics or Security, Privacy and Sharing. These areas are structured according to development standards - initial (1st and 2nd years of schooling), intermediate (3rd and 4th year) and advanced (2nd and 3rd cycles) – and are articulated with the stages of each age and which will be adapted to each group/class and presented in a specific plan for each year of schooling. The curricular proposals of LEGO Education and Code.org, as well as the legislation in force were considered to define the contents: Perfil do Aluno à Saída da Escolaridade Obrigatória and Aprendizagens Essenciais.

In addition to these offers, students can also attend the Robotics Club in which they create and develop robots with LEGO technology, in addition to participating in national competitions of Robotics, such as the First LEGO League.

We know that it is not always easy to provide all the necessary knowledge to young people. At our school we use technological resources and, whenever possible, we promote STEM educational environment (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). This teaching model leads students to think, reflect, seek answers, solve problems and collaborate with colleagues. It encourages autonomy through the search for information and the proposal of ideas, changing the dynamics of the class and building the XXI century skills. STEM prepares students for the real world context, in which having a good academic degree is not enough, curricula need to count on skills that make one stand out among so many qualified people.

At CBR, our mission is education for scientific knowledge and scientific and technological dissemination, through activities inside and outside the classroom, in interaction with the surrounding community, to stimulate interest in scientific and technological culture.

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