“The Education test” is a research-based test that aims to inform young people or pupils about educations and professions within STEM. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The test result provides the pupil with information about his or her personality traits, how he or she learns best, and suggest some STEM occupations that fits their personality.
“The Education test” is a research-based test that aims to inform young people or pupils about educations and professions within STEM. The test was created by psychologist Helge Brovold (NTNU) and takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Based on four different factors – personality, preferred learning method, personal and professional interests, the test presents occupations within STEM that might be suitable. The test result provides the pupil with information about his or her personality traits, how he or she learns best, and suggest some STEM occupations that fits their personality. After taking the test, the pupils may discuss the result with their parents or friends, and further evaluate different studies, careers and job opportunities. The main target group are pupils in junior high school and students in high school, but the test is also used in some universities to examine the students preferred learning methods and further to adjust the teaching methods.
NCSR (the Norwegian national STEM platform) has done focus groups to learn more about how young people make their choice of education. Its findings show that most youths have little knowledge about careers within STEM and what kind of occupations are eligible after studying STEM.
The education test aims to address this by providing the pupils with new ideas about what one can study and work with within STEM. In tandem to the test, the NCSR runs campaigns in social media throughout the year to inform the target audience about the test and the importance of educational choices.
The main goal of the programme is to make the pupils reflect on their interest, personality and their learning preferences in relation to STEM. Furthermore, the goal is to make the target audience aware of the different educations and jobs within STEM. The programme aims to:
These objectives are aligned with the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training’s STEM strategy – “Close to STEM” (see background documents).
It is not possible to measure the impact of the test in isolation from other actions and activities with same or similar objectives – initiated by NCSR or from other actors. NCSR make an overall assessment of own measures and programmes every year, and decide which activities to change, adjust or end. NCSR also evaluates the general trends in STEM education and labour market in Norway and assesses the impact of its initiatives in this context.
The main target of the programme is to reach 35.000 students per year (each successfully completing the test). In 2020, the 45.000 students completed the test (significantly exceeding the target).
The programme is funded by the Ministry of Education and NCSR (fixed yearly budget). In addition, campaigns are developed in partnership with different companies and universities that want to contribute to the work within STEM-recruitment.
“The Education test” is a research-based test that aims to inform young people or pupils about educations and professions within STEM, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The test result provides the pupil with information about his or her personality traits, how he or she learns best, and suggest some STEM occupations that fits their personality. The test is free to use and available in Norwegian and English.
The programme reaches over 45.000 students per year, providing them with a framework for reflection about their own abilities and choices related to STEM education and career paths. The programme contributes directly to the objectives of the national STEM strategy ('Close to STEM') of the Norwegian government.
The University of Tartu Youth Academy programme (henceforth UTYA) is one of the longest running STEM promotion initiatives in Estiona (launched in 1965). The main goal of the programme is to create opportunities for the development of pupils who have already shown a deeper interest in science by offering optional courses, support teachers (in particular in their work with gifted students) and contribute to the popularisation of science and science careers in Estonia.
The University of Tartu Youth Academy programme (henceforth UTYA) is one of the longest running STEM promotion initiatives in Estiona (launched in 1965). The aim of UTYA is to create opportunities for the development of pupils who have already shown a deeper interest in science. The programme facilitates enriching a pupil´s knowledge beyond the usual school curriculum and also the resources to spend their leisure time meaningfully.
The UTYA organizes courses in three different levels and a range of subjects, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, but also in linguistics, philosophy and other non-STEM areas. Some courses are correspondence courses conducted via ordinary mail and some are carried out using e-learning facilities. Pupils can participate either individually or as a group. There are no entrance requirements, although the programme requires pupils to be motivated and able to work independently.
The instructors of the courses are usually University of Tartu professors, researchers or students. Pupils get feedback on their work as well as after graduation from the course. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate from University of Tartu.
To enhance the pupils’ abilities and learning styles, the UTYA offers some testing facilities. Some of the tests can be taken online. In addition, for pupils who are interested in participating in different kinds of contests, the UTYA organizes national Olympiads in maths, physics, chemistry, informatics, biology, geography and other areas. When students perform well at national Olympiads they are given the opportunity to participate in international contests or Olympiads. Estonian teams have been taking part in such contests since 1992 and each year pupils have won several medals.
Through these activities as well as participation in other projects and events, the programme also contributes to popularising science and technology to the wider audience.
The main goal of the programme is to create opportunities for the development of pupils who have already shown a deeper interest in science. The programme does so by:
The objectives of the programme are related to the Estonians' aim to build on a science-based economy and smart specialisation. In order to do that, there is a need to offer gifted pupil opportunities to develop themselves and have good opportunities in the country so that there would not be a need for gifted children to leave for the better opportunities.
The programme provided direct support in a variety of ways, to a large number of gifted students (see above). The programme also promoted (successful) participation in national science competitions and through its activities contributed to the popularisation of science and science careers on among thousands of children per year.
Through its activities, UTYA reaches a large number of pupils each year. In 2020, UTYA:
UTYA is funded through:
The STEAMcat Plan is an initiative ('regional STEM strategy') of the Catalan Government that responds to the current shortages / labour market demands in specific sectors related to science and technology. The plan seeks to promote STEM among young people, especially girls, groups at risk of social exclusion and with a low socio-economic background. The STEAMcat Plan was developed by a working group made up of representatives of the Department of Education (coordinator) the Department of the Presidency (Secretariat for Telecommunications, Cybersecurity and the Digital Society), the Department of Business and Knowledge and each of the Catalan universities. The plan was officially presented on May 31, 2017 by the heads of the aforementioned ministries.
The STEAMcat Plan was officially updated / relaunched in 2019 by three Catalan ministries. It includes an in-depth quantitative assessment of the current state of affairs related to STEM in Catalonia. The main objectives of the STEMcat Plan are:
The STEAMcat programme is an initiative of the Government of Catalonia (see 'programmes' page). The STEAMcat schools map provides an overview of all participating schools.
The STEAMcat pedagogical innovation program is a programme of the Government of Catalonia aimed at implementing the ojbectives of the STEAMcat plan (regional STEM strategy of Catalonia). Through teacher training, the programme develops 'STEAM centres' and projects (3 year duration), with the ultimate objective of increasing STEM uptake among young people (in particular girls and other underrepresented groups).
The STEAMcat pedagogical innovation program (from here on: 'STEAMcat') is the first project launched within the STEAMcat plan, focused on (STEM) teacher training and assessing and improving STEM skills among students in primary and secondary education.
The STEAMcat plan is an initiative ('regional STEM strategy') of the Catalan Government that responds to the current shortages / labour market demands in specific sectors related to science and technology. The plan seeks to promote STEM among young people, especially girls, groups at risk of social exclusion and with a low socio-economic background. STEAMcat was developed by a working group made up of representatives of the Department of Education (coordinator) the Department of the Presidency (Secretariat for Telecommunications, Cybersecurity and the Digital Society), the Department of Business and Knowledge and each of the Catalan universities. The plan was officially presented on May 31, 2017 by the heads of the aforementioned ministries.
Each academic year, the STEAMcat programme selects 40 teachers (20 primary and 20 secondary) to participate in te STEAMcat programme. Selected teachers:
The STEAMcat pedagogical innovation supports participating schools through advice, the creation of the STEAMcat Community and by providing training and resources. Ultimately, the STEAMcat plan aims to raise STEM uptake among students in post-compulsary education by improving the perception of STEM as a career choice.
STEAM centres developed by teachers selected in the programme are evaluated systematically using the following indicators:
Projects / centres are evaluated on individual bases. An overview of school projects and their results are published by the Government of Catalonia (see background documents)
Each acadmic year, the programme selects and supports 40 teachers to participate in a three year programme to develop STEAM centres.
The STEAMcat project is funded through the ordinary budgets of the participating government departments / institutions.
The STEAMcat pedagogical innovation program is a programme of the Government of Catalonia aimed at implementing the ojbectives of the STEAMcat plan (regional STEM strategy of Catalonia). Through teacher training, the programme develops 'STEAM centres' and projects (3 year duration), with the ultimate objective of increasing STEM uptake among young people (in particular girls and other underrepresented groups).
Results of the individual projects are published periodically (see link above).