Project Description

The rationale of the project was that adequate promotion of science education requires strong partnerships between Secondary Education - Vocational Education and Training (SE VET) schools and higher education and research institutions, comprehensive science outreach programs, and boosting the involvement in STEM fields of young people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. The project’s overall objective was to develop resources for cross-curricular science education based on cooperation between SE VET schools and universities and aimed at improving students’ STEM knowledge and motivation to pursue STEM careers.

The project’s specific objectives were to:

• Raise awareness of the benefits and effective practices of science outreach and non-formal science education based on partnership between universities and SE VET schools and targeting both high performers in STEM and underrepresented groups;
• Develop resources for effective science outreach involving universities and SE VET schools, focused on improving science communication and promoting university students’ and SE VET teachers’ engagement and co-creation in the learning process;
• Develop hands-on extracurricular training programs and resources advancing knowledge and skills in synergic cross-disciplinary STEM areas with high employability potential (Mechatronics and Physical Computing) or linking STEM to Art & Design and targeting learners without strong STEM proficiency.