Greater collaboration between science education and industry
The overarching objective of the project ECB (European coordinating body in maths, science and technology education (ECB)) was to increase young Europeans' interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. The research focused on two challenges: lack of interest in the subjects and the future skills gap. Comprising 26 partners across 17 countries, the multi-stakeholder consortium created a repository of STEM methodologies, applied best practices in schools, and placed great emphasis on dissemination, exploitation and outreach activities. An online portal and an observatory of information regarding industry and education helped support these efforts. ECB's online presence includes social media accounts and dedicated website with information available in nine languages. Project partners brought in networks of more than 1 000 primary and secondary schools. The outcome of this work will help teachers and other stakeholders as well as industries to create and distribute practices reflecting real-life scenarios. Additionally, linking STEM professionals with students participating in the project marked an important step towards bridging the projected skills gap. The team produced the InGenious code, which provides specific guidelines for collaboration between schools and industry. Furthermore, they established an online community of approximately 1 500 STEM educators/teachers exchanging practice with industry. ECB held workshops and conferences as well as online events that connected over 600 teachers and students with industry representatives to debate key STEM topics. An online training course (MOOC) was developed for 2 000 teachers with expert-led modules covering STEM career issues. By project-end more than 250 teachers from 28 countries had tested practices with 2 200 classes involving 20 000 pupils. The project's comprehensive approach, representing the interests of industry, national science platforms and universities, is already delivering results. The initiative's innovative activities have brought science, technology and business closer to schools. Students now have improved knowledge of STEM careers and are privy to more appealing learning experiences through access to facilities such as laboratories. Overall, this will help Europe close the skills gap and remain a global force in STEM-related knowledge and advances. The project video can be found here.
Keywords
STEM, science education, science and technology, skills gap, teachers, students, STEM career