Learn STEM - Innovative Model of learning STEM in secondary schools
Overview
The ERASMUS+ project Learn STEM - Innovative Model of learning STEM in secondary schools focuses on designing, testing and evaluating an innovative approach to teaching STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics). Sometimes the 'A' in STEAM stands for arts (arts), which are then also taken into account.
The project will run for 24 months and the project language is English.
Based on the results of PISA 2018 (https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/pisa-2018-results-volume-i_5f07c754-en), the level of performance in STEM subjects in some partner countries (Turkey, Greece and Romania) is rather heterogeneous. Furthermore, most students who took the 2018 PISA test expressed a broad interest in science topics and recognized the important role that STEM and science play in their world. However, only a minority of students reported that they engage in STEM activities or are included in STEM lessons. Gender differences in science and STEM engagement and career expectations appear to be more related to differences in what boys and girls think they are good at and what is good for them than to differences in what they are actually able to do.
However, parents, teachers, and those responsible and involved in the education system can challenge gender-specific stereotypes about science activities and professions in order to enable girls and boys to achieve their personal potential.
Growing up in the 21st century requires STEM skills to be successful in the future. Teachers and educators should not only prepare students for their subjects, but also equip them with the essential skills to help them succeed in their careers, future professions and lives. Examples of overarching STEM skills are critical thinking, statistics, constructive thinking, problem solving, creativity, reasoning, intellectual curiosity, data-driven decision making, flexibility and collaboration. STEM skills can be improved by introducing concepts at an early stage. In addition, learners can explore STEM professions first hand. Schools are now focusing more on STEM education because there is an increased demand for these skills. However, improving STEM skills may require more than just a significant teacher involvement.
The Learn STEM partners consider it of utmost importance to the Education and Training Strategy's goal regarding the need to improve the quality and efficiency of education and training. This is to be achieved by reaching a specific benchmark at the European level:
fewer than 15% of 15-year-olds should be under-qualified in reading, mathematics and science.
Furthermore, Learn STEM also sees the need to build knowledge of and about science as a prerequisite for preparing the European population for active citizenship – in the sense of engaged and responsible citizens. Such citizens are, at best, creative and innovative, capable of collaboration, and aware of and attuned to complex societal challenges.
In this project, the partners of Learn STEM will address the interdependency between different challenges:
- the successful adoption of innovative pedagogical and didactic approaches in STEM teaching for secondary school students (through both technological and 'social and cultural' innovations) and
- with the need to develop and promote the professional competences of teachers as a prerequisite for improving the quality of STEM education in schools.
A transnational approach is necessary to avoid duplication of work and inappropriate parallelism of initiatives in the different member states and to contribute to improving the quality and relevance in the education systems as an overall effect of the project.
Partners:
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi, Turkey
- (coordinator, university partner)
- University of Paderborn, Chair of Business Education II, Germany
- (concept partner, didactics partner, university partner)
- Ingenious Knowledge GmbH, Germany
- (IT/technology partner)
- IEK Kavalas, Greece
- (testing partner)
- EURO-NET, Italy
- (testing partner)
- Liceul Tehnologic “Haralamb Vasiliu”, Romania
- (testing partner)
- Yusuf Demir Bilim ve Sanat Merkezi, Turkey
- (testing partner)
- AHI Evran Anadolou Lisesi
- (testing partner)
Objective
The ERASMUS+ project Learn STEM - Innovative Model of learning STEM in secondary schools focuses on designing, testing and evaluating an innovative approach to teaching STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics). The Learn STEM project aims to strengthen the capacity of secondary schools to promote skills in subjects such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics through innovative and interactive pedagogical methods and approaches.
The project will provide schools with a pedagogical model and pedagogical tools to help students connect with 'real life' and provide authentic insights into professional practice, opportunities and challenges. The focus is on STEM applications, particularly in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics, two very interesting areas for schools.
The project will develop a didactic model and incorporate existing practices in the countries for dealing with STEM. A learning package with 10 learning tools will be developed, implemented and evaluated, and a LEARN STEM Teacher Training Program will be set up and tested on the basis of an international interview study. In addition, an online learning environment has been designed and a MOOC for teacher training developed and evaluated.
Innovation
The Learn STEM project is innovative because:
- it implements a holistic approach to introducing innovative technologies and pedagogies into school education. It does this by designing and testing an educational model that takes a comprehensive perspective on the practical application of STEM subjects in everyday life, gender equality, and the involvement of parents and other stakeholders.
- The teacher training offered in the project not only imparts information and knowledge, but also promotes skills in terms of collaboration and innovative pedagogical and didactic settings and practices that can be used for STEM teaching.
Key Facts
- Grant Number:
- 2022-1-TR01-KA220-SCH-000087583
- Research profile area:
- Transformation and Education
- Project duration:
- 12/2022 - 12/2024
- Contribution to sustainability:
- Quality Education
- Funded by:
- EU
More Information
Results
Output 1. LEARN STEM Pedagogical Model Output 2. Definition of LEARN STEM Teacher Training Programme Output 3. Design and test of the LEARN STEM online learning environment Further outputs: Work packages (WP) and activities (A) The project includes four work packages: WP1: Project Management WP2: Learn STEM Pedagogical Model - O1 - A1 - Overview of existing practices in teaching STEM through innovative pedagogical approaches - O1 - A2 - Mapping of key stakeholders to be involved in innovative STEM teaching activities - O1 - A3 - Define the LEARN STEM Pedagogical Model - O1 - A4 - Develop the inquiry learning package - O1 - A5 - Evaluate the LEARN STEM Pedagogical Model and inquiry learning package WP3: Learn STEM Teacher Training Programme - O2 - A1 Identify concrete training needs and opportunities for STEM Teachers - O2 - A2 Define training curriculum WP4: Learn STEM online learning environment - O3 - 1 Design of the Learn STEM learning environment architecture - O3 - 2 Development of the technical functionalities of the Learn STEM online learning environment - O3 - 3 Integrate the training contents, delivery and assessment tools, and inquiry learning package in the Learn STEM online learning environment - O3 - 4 - Testing of technical functionalities - O3 - 5 - Validation of the Learn STEM online learning environment WP5: Transnational Project Meetings