Image

AMTech

Development of an aviation aerospace mechatronics technician curriculum

AMTech

Video Demo    |   Feedback form    |       Play Audio    |   Download:
Practical Application of STEM in Vocational Education
What is STEM/STEAM education?

What is STEM/STEAM education?

STREAM education: Progress begins with action. We teach how to think, not what to think.

STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. The concept of STREAM education was created in the US and was initially called STEM. It stood for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and mainly focused on the exact sciences.
Over time, “A” (for “Arts”) has been added to the acronym to include the right hemisphere of the brain, and STEAM education has became the leading approach in many educational institutions around the world.

Source: https://streamedukacja.pl/

 

What are the benefits of STEM/STEAM education in 21st century?

What are the benefits of STEM/STEAM education in 21st century?

STEAM in vocational education aims to prepare students for practical application of scientific and technological knowledge, and to develop their analytical skills, logical thinking, teamwork, and ability to solve technical problems.
Through practical projects and experiences, students gain specific knowledge and skills that can be useful in their future careers in the fields of technology, engineering or computer science.
 

STEM/STEAM education in 21st century:

  •   Develops students’ social and civic competences
  •   Employs new forms and methods of teaching
  •   Teaches analytical and creative thinking
  •   Provides a natural source of motivation to learn science, which is disliked or considered difficult by many students

Source: https://stemwszkole.pl/
 
 
   

 

Good practices in applying STEM/STEAM to vocational education – it works!

Ministry of Education and Science projects and events

Laboratoria Przyszłości [Laboratories of the Future] is a program of the Ministry of Culture and Science which adds latest educational solutions in the field of STEAM to the traditional educational model in order to help better prepare Polish youth for the challenges of the future. These are, in particular, challenges related to the labour market and readiness to work in professions of the future, including ones which, according to experts, do not yet exist.

Mobilne Laboratoria Przyszłości (MLP) [Mobile Laboratories of the Future] are 16 buses equipped with modern educational equipment which set off on a tour around Poland’s provinces in September 2022. Teams of educators are passionately teaching interactive lessons for students, showing that learning can be fun and supporting the development of competences of the future.		  

Source: https://www.gov.pl/web/laboratoria/mobilne-laboratoria

 

Liga Robotów [The League of Robots] is a nationwide robotic tournament based on STEAM, which aims to show that the learning process is about searching, cooperation and critical thinking. It combines the latest achievements in science, engineering, technology, as well as arts and mathematics. Its objective is to shape open and creative minds for the 21st century. It is a global project that supports talents.

  

Source: www.gov.pl/ligarobotow

 

Hala Laboratoria Przyszłości CRPK, operating as part of the Laboratories of the Future program, is a modern space in Warsaw, combining the world of culture and modern technologies. Its creation was inspired by STEAM.

  

Source: https://www.gov.pl/web/laboratoria/oficjalne-otwarcie-hali-laboratoria-przyszlosci-crpk

 

Official website of Poland’s Ministry of Education and Science.
It contains information on events and initiatives that support STEM and STEAM projects in the country.

  

Source: https://www.gov.pl/web/edukacja-i-nauka

 

Associations and foundations that promote STEM/STEAM education

The PFR Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2018 by the Polish Development Fund. It was created to implement social projects and enable the fund to undertake socially responsible activities.

In 2019, the Foundation launched Centralny Dom Technologii, a new and inspiring hotspot on the educational map of Warsaw, where open minds, technology, science and business intertwine. This is the first space in Poland to offer interdisciplinary educational activities for children, youth, adults and the elderly using the STEAM approach, as well as a place where business meets new technologies.		  

Source: https://fundacjapfr.pl/

 

The Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE) in Poland is an institution responsible for the development of education, including STEM curricula. FRSE supports many educational programs that aim to promote science, technology, engineering, and maths in schools.
One of the main programs implemented by FRSE is the Operational Program Knowledge, Education, Development (POWER), which also supports STEM activities. The POWER program finances educational projects, including those related to natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These activities are aimed at showcasing the value of STEM-based teaching and the benefits for those who study these fields.
In addition, FRSE is also responsible for coordinating the program “STEM w szkole” [STEM at School], which aims to introduce STEAM teaching in Polish schools at various levels of education.

  

Source: https://www.frse.org.pl/

 

STEM/STEAM events

15-16 May 2023 – STEAM & AI in Education Conference for those interested in promoting the potential of STEAM.  

The Educational Research Institute (IBE) was the patron of the conference STEAM in School Laboratories of the Future. The event took place on 19 April 2023.

Source: https://www.ibe.edu.pl/index.php/pl/aktualnosci/
1971-konferencja-steam-ai-in-education

STEAM – NO PROBLEM! The first in-person National Forum of Active Use of Technology labs (PAKT). On 12 April 2023, the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw held the first in-person PAKT event


Source: https://www.gov.pl/web/cppc/

Source: https://www.ibe.edu.pl/index.php/pl/aktualnosci/1989-steam-w-szkolnych-laboratoriach-przyszlosci-z-udzialem-ibe

 

Activation of girls/women in STEM/STEAM education

The Women in STEM Round Table is a partnership initiative of individuals and institutions interested in promoting technical and exact sciences, creatively bringing together the world of universities and tech business, and activating the potential of women in science, technology and innovation. In 2020, the Intel Foundation together with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation launched the Million Girls Moonshot movement. Currently, only about a fifth of engineering degrees are earned by women, therefore the movement aims to create and popularize educational opportunities in engineering and computer science among girls. The organization also wants to reach one million girls by engaging them in STEM programs, funding scholarships, and using a collective approach to empowering existing communities.

  

Source: http://potencjalkobiet.pl/round-table

 

STEM/STEAM school ranking

The aim of the STEM General and Vocational Secondary School Ranking is to make young people passionate about subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science, and to inspire them to study engineering and science in the future.
The ranking lists general and vocational secondary schools that best prepare candidates for these courses of study and can serve as an inspiring example for others.
The ranking is based on three criteria:
Results of secondary school leaving exams at advanced level in the following subjects: mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science (50%)
Results of the compulsory secondary school leaving in mathematics (35%)
School’s successes in national and international Olympiads in STEM subjects (15%)

  

Source:https://perspektywy.pl/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2983&Itemid=403
Fourth edition of STEM PW competition by Warsaw University of Technology

This STEM project is organized by the Warsaw University of Technology along with educational partners. The program is addressed to secondary school students and teachers. The project aims to improve the quality of teaching and promote STEM education. Part of the project is an interdisciplinary competition that addresses the requirements of the extended secondary school curriculum in physics, mathematics, and computer science. Participating students have the opportunity to test their knowledge by attending lectures or workshops organized by the Warsaw University of Technology. Teachers of natural sciences, vocational subjects, mathematics, and computer science receive support through training and conferences.
It is a unique partnership between three institutions: a school, a teacher training organization, and a university. Thus, the project provides an opportunity for three key actors in the teaching and learning process, namely the student, the teacher, and the academic lecturer, to work together. Such an approach enables full development and maximizing the potential of young people.

  

Source: https://stem.pw.edu.pl/projekt-edukacyjny/
Technical and subject-matter expert support for STEM vocational education.

Microsoft Education

“All students deserve equitable access to education – no matter where they live or how they learn. We’re committed to developing safe and inclusive learning solutions designed to help everyone reach their highest potential at school and beyond.”
Source: https://www.microsoft.com/pl-pl/education

 

LEGO Education
Intel Foundation


Source: https://www.intel.pl/content/www/pl/pl/education/k12/teachers/stem-education.html

Intel Polska is actively involved in the development of STEM and supporting educational initiatives throughout the country. One of the programs implemented by Intel Polska is Intel Education. This program aims to develop creative skills among students and teachers. As part of this program, Intel organizes training for teachers, provides teaching materials, and promotes STEM teaching methods.
STEM-related activities conducted by Intel Polska are aimed at developing technological talent, supporting innovation, and building a strong knowledge base in the country.

STEM/STEAM and DRONES.

STEM/STEAM and DRONES

DRONES IN EDUCATION – a complete educational program for primary and secondary schools involving the use of small, safe drones to teach programming, physics and mathematics, and to provide soft skills training. Lesson plans have been developed together with higher education institutions, taking into account all the needs of the school and its teachers. Each of the scenarios is a separate mission addressing a specific topic related to the subject of the lesson.

Thanks to small, safe drones, students can see in practice what lifting force is, for example, learn safety rules, and create scripts for drones in Scratch, Python or Swift using smartphone applications.

  
   
Source: https://www.dronywedukacji.pl/

 

Summary

Summary

While STEM education is not a new idea, schools continue to change, adapt and modify their approach to teaching these subjects. Young people are surrounded by technology on a daily basis. Instead of focusing on teaching students how to use technology to prepare them for the fourth industrial revolution, technology should be at the centre of their learning activities to maximize learning outcomes. Transitioning to a technology- and skills-based curriculum helps children and young people acquire specific skills and mindsets that are, in turn, the necessary tools to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world and to prepare the students for tomorrow’s jobs.
https://www.intel.pl/content/www/pl/pl/education/k12/teachers/stem-education.html
 
   

 



Keywords

experiences, experiment, cross-curricular connections, inspiration, creativity, independence, trying, information technology, school of the future, VR

Objectives/goals:

  • Understand the importance of engaging students in STEM/STEAM education.
  • Identify strategies to create an engaging STEM/STEAM learning environment.
  • Explore examples of proactive incorporation of STEM/STEAM principles into education.
  • Understand the role of technology in student engagement, with a focus on effective use of technological tools and platforms to promote student engagement in STEM/STEAM training.
  • Address the challenges/problems regarding student engagement in STEM/STEAM education and find solutions.
  • Monitor and assess student engagement in STEM/STEAM education.

Learning Outcomes

Gain a better understanding of why it makes sense to use the STREAM approach in vocational education.

Align core curriculum and school curricula to the dynamically changing labour market.

Educate an aware, creative and challenge-seeking future employee.

Increase focus on developing competences for the future and the ability to use them in practice.

Develop the ability of creative learning.

Prepare teaching staff for new challenges and teaching methods.

Develop the ability to use latest technologies and solutions in the teaching process.

Related Glossary

  • STREM/STREAM:

    stands for Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, (Arts) and Mathematics. The concept of STREAM education was created in the US and was initially called STEM. It stood for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and mainly focused on the exact sciences. Over time, “A” (for “Arts”) has been added to the acronym to include the right hemisphere of the ain, and STEAM education has become the leading approach in many educational institutions around the world.
    Source: streamedukacja.pl
  • STREAM EDUCATION:

    STEAM is an approach to teaching that involves project and workshop work which helps to acquire knowledge faster and to retain it better. Children are more focused because classes focus on solving, searching and discovering. Students are given the opportunity to create new things, which they can then explore, verify and test to acquire a very important competence, namely the ability to draw constructive conclusions.
    Source: https://streamedukacja.pl
  • INNOVATION COMPETENCES:

    innovation competences are skills and attitudes that young people will need in the future, regardless of their knowledge and profession, in order to be effective in their private life, in the labour market, and in the social realm.

    Source: (Link)
  • COMPETENCES OF THE FUTURE:

    some of the most desirable competencies of the future include:

    • Analytical thinking

    • Creative thinking

    • Resilience, flexibility, agility

    • Motivation and self-awareness

    • Curiosity and lifelong learning

    • Ability to use technology

    • Reliability and attention to detail

    • Empathy and active listening

    • Leadership and social influence

    • Quality control

    Source: (Link)
  • STREAM SKILLS:

    the basis of STEAM projects that involve analysis of real-world scenarios. Inspiration may come from the observation of everyday life, such as phenomena and changes taking place in nature, problems in the immediate or more distant environment or issues faced daily by the students. STEAM education is an approach that develops the skills of not only students, but also teachers. STEAM projects are multidisciplinary, therefore they require collaboration between teachers. Planning, discussing and implementing a project provides a good opportunity to exchange experiences, observe each other’s teaching skills, and take a look from a much oader perspective because “two (or more) heads are better than one”!

    Source: https://www.nowaera.pl/eduone/edukacja-STEAM



Related training material

Partners

The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Legal description – Creative Commons licensing:
The materials published on the AMTech project website are classified as Open Educational Resources' (OER) and can be freely (without permission of their creators): downloaded, used, reused, copied, adapted, and shared by users, with information about the source of their origin.

Copyright © All rights reserved | AMTech