ERASMUS+ HEROES Project – Best Practices and Non-Formal Approach to Heritage Education: first research Focus Group at the Marco Polo Institute in Florence

Last 15 January 2020, at the ITT Marco Polo in Florence, the first research Focus Group was held to analyze and discuss the main practices already in use for the Cultural Heritage Education of young people. The action is placed in the wider frame of the preliminary researching activities for the future design and implementation of the innovative Model for cultural heritage education provided by the Project HEROES - HEritage, cultural ROots and innovative peer Education Strategies (ERASMUS+ K.A 2, Strategic Partnerships for EDUCATION, Development of Innovation).

The preliminary mapping phase aims to highlight the best educational practices (both curricular and extra-curricular) already carried out in partner countries  - Italy, Spain and Greece - to approach the young students of Secondary School to cultural heritage and to make them aware of its strong value for their personal and civil growth. Supported by the facilitators of the Centro Machiavelli, the teachers of Marco Polo Institute and the staff of the Didactic Section of the Uffizi Galleries discussed the quality and results obtained within the main educational programs and/or actions focused on the heritage implemented both by schools and cultural institutions themselves (or in tandem). The Focus Group also provided the opportunity for participants to reflect on those aspects that will constitute the pillars of the HEROES Model such as the value of accessibility of the heritage itself (in its broadest and most inclusive meaning), and the relevance to promote a holistic approach to cultural education. A special focus - indeed - was placed in observing and analyzing those activities that apply a non-formal approach to cultural matters or that borrow, even if only in practice, the principles of Peer Education.

The data emerged from the mapping phase in each partner country will contribute to the Model's contents implementation, gathering suggestions, needs and expectations from sector operators so as to promote an idea of heritage education that is truly interdisciplinary, enriching and functional to the global development of young people.

The mapping phase will be completed by a set of interviews to key witnesses such as School Managers, Curators and Museum Directors and Pedagogical Coordinators of cultural institutions on the value of heritage education and by a desktop documentary research on possible interdisciplinary studies, scientific references and / or legislative landmarks, aimed at framing the reference scenario of the whole project activities.