An optimised organisation
The project implementation is divided in 5 work packages (WP) based on 5 workgroups:
WP1: Project coordination and management
Leader: L'Institut Agro Rennes-Angers
This work package includes the scientific and financial monitoring of the project with the help of a steering committee gathering all partners and all WP leaders; internal communication through a website and collaborative online tools; organisation of transnational meetings for teamwork and coordination.
WP2: General framework conception
Leader: ESA Angers & Oniris
This work package is in charge of the conceptual work of the project, including the identification of the main agroecological aspects that need to be included in the game (review on agroecology); the creation of a conceptual model including all major agroecological features for a European dairy and crop farm; the identification of national farms characteristics in the four partner countries; and finally, the definition of steering indicators for the evaluation of social, economic and environmental performances of the farm.
WP3: Model construction
Leader: University of Agriculture in Krakow
This work package is in charge of the conception of 5 submodels (soil, crops, animals, economic and social aspects, ecosystem services), the connection of all models into a global model, and the creation of a module to calculate steering indicators.
WP4: Game building
Leader: Agrocampus Ouest
This work packages is in charge of transforming the model into a game. This will include hiring an external IT company ; defining game principles and rules; conceiving the game based on scientific model; designing the graphical interface and testing the serious game (output 1).
WP5: Training and dissemination
Leader: University of Bologna
This work package is working on the pedagogical and communication aspects of the project. This includes the redaction of a tutorial (Output 2) and a pedagogical guide and online course (Output 3) and their translation in five languages (English and partners’ languages); the organization of a training week for students from participating universities in Bologna; the dissemination of the game and pedagogical tools to teachers in each partner university; the dissemination to professionals in each partner country; and finally, the online dissemination of the project results and participation to national and international events.
Workpackages' activities and events
A student training week for European students will be organized at the University of Bologna. A group of European studentsand teachers will attend the event.
The teaching program will last one week during which the students will learn about agroecology and systemic thinking. The courses will be divided in theoretical and practical activities.
During the course the students will have the opportunity to perform several simulations using the game.
Other courses on agroecology will be delivered by the project teachers, as well as some field trips and visits related to agroecology in the surroundings of Bologna.
The learning outcomes for the participating students will be the acquisition of:
- Systemic thinking skills and integrated vision of agriculture
- Scientific and practical knowledge on agroecological practices
- Knowledge on different farming realities in Europe
- Enhanced transversal skills, such as strategy and creativity skills, as well as language and intercultural skills.
The gathering of teachers and students of different disciplinary and geographical backgrounds is a valuable opportunity to offer comprehensive and interdisciplinary teaching and to create debates and exchange of experience and farming views in EU.
The final objective of this session is to improve and validate the SEGAE learning session before its integration in our existing study programmes.
The goal of this activity is to present the SEGAE game and its high pedagogical value to trainers of both undergraduate and graduate level.
The ‘SEGAE teacher dissemination’ event will take place in four different countries, in every partner university.
It will last two days. Teachers will have the opportunity to manipulate the serious game and test the different scenario modes. Pedagogical activities for various student levels will be proposed.
It will target high school and higher education teachers from schools and universities outside the consortium.
The teacher session will be designed to improve their knowledge on agroecology and systemic thinking, as well helping them using the game in their courses.
The tutorial and pedagogical guide will be given to all participants with some advice for game use in their courses.
The event for agricultural professionals will happen in each of the partner countries. It will take the form of a one-day event. After a short conference on agroecology, with illustrations and testimonies on agroecological practices implemented in real farms in the country, professionals will have the opportunity to use the serious game and test the different scenario modes.
The tutorial and pedagogical guide will be given to all participants with some advice for game use in their professional activity.