The INSPIRE project proposes to set up a limited validation observatory where 60schools in Europe will be proposed to use, test, analyse the use of new didactical tools(namely a digital Learning Resource Exchange) in the field of MST. Through thisexperimentation, special attention will be given and reported on as regards (1) theimpact of these new teaching methods at the level of pupils and their motivation, (2) theanalysis of the pre-requisites to be defined for enabling the teachers to integrate thesenew techniques in their pedagogy, (3) the critical success factors to be mastered at thelevel of the teacher and the school for the generalization of such practices.On a more practical level, the project will rely on previous R&D activities and implementthe following activities: rovide a customised version of a dedicated Learning ResourceExchange service in the area of MST (a network of 20+ repositories will already be inoperation at the start of INSPIRE - the objectives in this project will be to identify andevaluate a critical mass of good quality learning resources in MST within this federation)and assess the quality of the MST resources proposed.- Implement three school pilots involving a total of 60 schools (one in Germany, one inAustria and a set of other European schools with an active interest in MST).- Define the protocol of experimentation and organise the training of the pilot schools(via a training of trainers session).- Launch and monitor the experimentation activity (for a period to 6 to 8 months) with 60schools in Europe.- Analyse the impact and feedback of this experimentation- Draw the lessons and propose recommendations, action plan and concrete support(such as a handbook for teachers) for generalizing such an approach- Ensure the dissemination of this project via a dedicated Science education portal(based on the existing Xplora portal)- Ensure the exploitation of this project via the organisation of an international summerschool and the development of an online community of practice for educators regardingthe use of digital learning resources in MST. This project will be coordinated byEuropean Schoolnet (a network of 28 Ministries of education in Europe) with theAustrian Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Educonsult (a Belgian educationalconsultancy) and the Thuringen Institute Teacher Training, Continuous Training andMedia as partners. Full details of the contents of the learning resource exchangerepository are provided in annex 1, `Description of the underlying data and sources inthe learning resource exchange.