Aug
23
2018

Coding in STEM Education

By SOSE
Short summary: 

With our teacher project 'Coding in STEM Education' 22 teachers from seven European countries developed concrete examples and practical advice for teachers on how to integrate coding in STEM lessons. 

Description and objectives: 

Coding becomes more and more important in our society. To help increase the level of knowledge on a wide scale Science on Stage focuses on the teachers. They first need to be familiar with coding before introducing their students to this topic.

With our teacher project 'Coding in STEM Education' 22 teachers from seven European countries develop concrete examples and practical advice not only about how to practice coding skills using Arduino, Raspberry Pi & Co. in computer sciences but also in subjects such as biology, chemistry, technology, mathematics, and physics - even if you are no IT expert.

The results were published in 2019 in form of a teaching brochure. The project is proudly supported by SAP.

Country: 
EU
Education level: 
Primary Education
Secondary Education
Link to programme website: 
Click here
Logo or photo: 
Organisation: 
Science on Stage Deutschland e.V.
Focus: 
Digital skills
Intersectoral / crossovers / STEAM
Teachers
Impact: 

The 'Coding in STEM Education' project aims to make coding topics more accessible for teachers and students. The presented projects

  • are low cost to make it easier for teachers from all over Europe to implement them in their classrooms
  • are linked to important topics in European science curricula in primary and secondary school which enables teachers to incorporate them in their lesson even without allotted time for computer science
  • cover various subjects and scientific areas to interest many different students (encouraging girls for computer science)
Reach: 

The project 'Coding in STEM Education' consist of several project phases. In the first phase 23 with their students (approximately 250) develop and test the teaching materials which was published in a brochure in spring 2019. This brochure is available online and in print for free. We estimate to reach about 10 000 teachers per year through the publication and workshops. Following the release of the teaching material, a coding competition for student-teacher teams encouraged participants from all over Europe to apply with innovative ideas.

Budget and funding model: 

The projects of Science on Stage are funded through private companies and charitable foundations. The project “Coding in STEM education” is proudly supported by SAP.

Title (dropdown menu): 
Coding in STEM education
Year start: 
2017
Status: 
Finalised
Year end: 
2021
data_page_icon_programme: 
Aug
01
2018

Gender disparity in engineering

By PBT
Source / author: 
EngineeringUK
Country: 
United Kingdom
Abstract: 

EngineeringUK has published a research briefing on female underrepresentation in the industry. Despite efforts to address the imbalance, just 12% of those working in engineering are female. This disparity is largely due to girls dropping out of the educational pipeline at every decision point, despite generally performing better than boys in STEM subjects at school.

 

Evidence shows gender differences in understanding of and interest in engineering as well as perceptions of self-efficacy and identity are likely to be key factors when making subject and career choices. Girls are not only less knowledgeable about engineering and how to become an engineer, but also less likely to seek careers advice from others. 

Aug
01
2018

European Science on Stage festivals

By SOSE
Short summary: 

Every two years, Science on Stage organises Europes biggest educational festival from and for STEM teachers. Each time hosted by a different country, the event brings together up to 450 STEM teachers from over 30 countries to share and exchange their ideas and concepts for a successful science education from primary to secondary school

Description and objectives: 

Every two years, Science on Stage organises Europes biggest educational festival from and for STEM teachers. Each time hosted by a different country, the event brings together up to 450 STEM teachers from over 30 countries to share and exchange their ideas and concepts for a successful science education from primary to secondary school.

Every participant presents his or her good-practice teaching examples to their international colleagues at stands, in workshops and in on-stage-presentations. Following the principle 'from teachers for teachers' the festival supports the professional development of the educators. Furthermore the most innovative best-practice teaching concepts find their way to teacher trainings, brochures and teaching materials after the event.

Teachers are competitively selected to be part of their country’s delegation through rigorous application processes and national events.

The next European Science on Stage festival takes place will take place from 24-27 March 2022 in Prague, Czech Republic.

Country: 
EU
Education level: 
Primary Education
Secondary Education
Lifelong Learning / Upskilling
Link to programme website: 
Click here
Logo or photo: 
Organisation: 
Science on Stage Europe
Focus: 
Competitions
Teachers
Impact: 

The impact of our work can be measured by the personal benefit the teachers get through participating in our European Science on Stage festival. The results of the evaluation of the festivals demonstrate that the exchange of teachers has a positive effect on the motivation and joy in the profession. Indeed, participating teachers find many inspiring ideas for their STEM lessons and actually incorporate them practically in their own classrooms. However, the teachers do not only appreciate the exchange of inspiring ideas, but also the possibility to gain and maintain contacts made on an international basis. The improvement of science teaching and thus the promotion of students to consider a career in science, ICT and engineering, can be a good way to counteract the skilled worker shortage in these areas. (see Evaluation report)

Reach: 

The festival brings together up to 450 STEM teachers from over 30 countries to share and exchange their ideas and concepts for a successful science education from primary to secondary school. These festivals are the peak of our work – they constitute a gateway for national follow-up activities of each individual Science on Stage country. Through the festivals, newly acquired concepts find their way to teacher trainings, brochures and teaching materials in every participating country. In this way we reach more than 100,000 STEM teachers across Europe.

Budget and funding model: 

The European Science on Stage festivals are funded through private companies and foundations, municipalities, cooperation with universities and other STEM initiatives. The host country/National Steering Committee that organises the European festival is responsible for fundraising, supported by the umbrella organisation Science on Stage Europe e.V.

Title (dropdown menu): 
European Science on Stage Festival
Year start: 
n/a
Status: 
Ongoing
data_page_icon_programme: 
Jun
25
2018

Session Report: Fake news and why it's threatening your business?

By admin
Source / author: 
European Business Summit
Country: 
International
Abstract: 

On May 24, the European Business Summit hosted a debate on the topic 'Fake News & why it's threatening your business'. The recent Facebook/Cambridge Analytica revelations show how, in an increasingly digitised world, data can be exploited and reminds companies of the importance to ensure transparency when it comes to the use of consumer information. The impact of Fake News – and the resulting loss of trust – in the wider economic fabric cannot be overlooked. Moreover, with the entering into force of the GDPR, all actors are called to play their role in tackling the disinformation challenge.

Turkish STEM Alliance

Turkish STEM Alliance, founded in 2015, is an independent body of network for promoting  public engagement with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It unites STEM practitioners, researchers, policy makers and public to enhance the quality of STEM education and broaden participation in STEM. Turkish STEM Alliance consists of several different  members from science centers, science museums, PD centers, NGOs, STEM centers, companies, research centers and public organizations.

association / network
National STEM platform
Turkey
Click here

The Basque Government

The Basque Government (Eusko Jaurlaritza/Gobierno Vasco) is the regional Government of the Basque Country (Euskadi). Its degree of autonomy in policy areas including education, industry, culture, health and social security and services has led the Basque Country to achieve a high rating in the Human Development Index: eighth place in the world. Industry is the driving force of the Basque economy, accounting for 24.1% of GDP, and it aims to lead the fourth industrial revolution: 128% productivity per employee. Commitment to innovation is the hallmark of the Basque Country, commitment that brought in recognition and resources at European level. The Basque Country is the autonomous community in Spain that assigns the highest percentage of its GDP to R&D, 1.89%.

 

Regarding education, schooling in the Basque Country is compulsory from age 6 and free from 3 to 16 years old. Euskadi has the lowest dropout rate (7.7%) for young people between 18 and 24 years old, and 48.9% of people aged between 30 and 34 with have higher education The Basque Country directs its efforts toward implementing a clear, close educational model, providing value and quality assurance. Its commitment to developing talent in people, concentrated in a nursery for highly qualified professionals, who are prepared to take the reins of the future, both locally and internationally, has been reinforced. In this sense, an increasing need in qualified professionals in science and technology is foreseen in the coming years. Therefore, the Basque Government is currently developing the STEAM-Euskadi Strategy, using an integrated and collaborative approach between the education and industry, with the following goals:

 

  1. To guarantee education in the scientific and technological areas in the curriculum and the literacy needed by the society in an increasingly complex, changing and highly technified world.
  2. To inspire students professional vocations and aspirations in STEM areas in order to have more, better and versatile professionals.
  3. To attract less represented groups such as girls to scientific and technological fields
  4. To favour education in science and technology in students facing social inequality situations.

 

Government
National / associate partner
Spain
Click here
May
03
2018

The Loving Place for Children That Assumes Beauty

By admin
Source / author: 
New York Times
Country: 
Italy
Abstract: 

This New York Times opinion piece describes the origin of the Punto Cometa association. This Italian initiative is committed to foster, educate and develop children and young people in general and to support their families. Cometa’s the place where children and young people are encouraged to appreciate the meaning and beauty of life while sharing everyday experiences and where the families are helped and supported in their educational efforts. Cometa’s passion for education and commitment to its cause has been the driving force behind the development of many initiatives that respond to the needs of an ever-growing number of children and young people.

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