On August 15, 2024, the SPQR project partners gathered in the historic Römerstadt Carnuntum, Austria, for the third Transnational Project Meeting (TPM3). Hosted by Geza Frank, the meeting marked a significant milestone in the project's journey, with key updates shared on the progress of various work packages, alongside strategic discussions for upcoming events and milestones.
Welcoming Remarks and Venue Significance
The meeting began with a warm welcome from Albena Palpurina of the Interactive Bulgaria Foundation, who highlighted the importance of the day’s discussions in driving the project forward. Geza Frank followed with remarks on the historical significance of the Carnuntum venue, emphasizing its relevance to the SPQR project's focus on bringing Roman heritage to life for students across Europe.
Progress Updates on Key Work Packages
Kristiyan Bratovanov delivered an insightful presentation outlining the progress across the project's core work packages:
WP 1: Project Management – The project management activities, including timeline management and quality monitoring, are proceeding as planned, ensuring that all components stay on track.
WP 2: Methodology, Curriculum, Scenarios – Major strides have been made in this area, with the review of relevant curricula and the development of teaching methodologies and scenarios for Ancient Rome now nearly complete. The final touches are being added to the scenarios that will guide upcoming reenactment events and the creation of digital educational resources.
WP 3: Reconstruction of Events, Content Development, OERs – The development of training materials and the organization of reenactment events are well underway. Notably, the first reenactment event has been successfully conducted, with the second event scheduled for the upcoming days. Efforts in producing 360° videos and VR content are ongoing, with a considerable portion already captured.
WP 4: Software Development – Work on the VR platform, IEDU360.eu, and the development of an Ancient Rome image bank has begun. Although still in the early stages, these efforts are crucial for hosting and sharing the project’s digital outputs.
WP 5: Networking, Cooperation, Dissemination – The project’s networking activities are advancing, with the establishment of the European Youth SPQR Network and the completion of three out of five planned transnational meetings. The upcoming multiplier events are expected to play a key role in showcasing the project's outcomes to a broader audience.
Strategic Planning and Upcoming Events
The meeting also focused on planning the upcoming Learning, Teaching, and Training (LTT) event, which will include final preparations for the next reenactment event in Carnuntum. This event is expected to further enrich the content available for the project’s Open Educational Resources (OERs).
Discussions also touched on the logistics for future transnational meetings and the strategic timing of multiplier events, which will be pivotal in disseminating the project’s achievements across Europe. The team emphasized the importance of aligning these events with local cultural activities to maximize engagement and impact.
Closing and Next Steps
The meeting concluded with a networking session, allowing partners to dive deeper into specific project aspects and collaborate on upcoming tasks. Key action items were identified, including the finalization of scenarios, progression of software development, and further engagement with the European Youth SPQR Network.
The next transnational meeting (TPM4) is tentatively scheduled for later this year in Romania, with a focus on leveraging local cultural events to enhance the project's visibility and reach.
Stay tuned as the SPQR project continues to unfold, bringing the rich history of Ancient Rome to classrooms and communities across Europe.
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