Teachers and pupils STEM competence development in elementary school

ACKGROUND: Nowadays, growing importance is devoted towards technologies, especially rapid development is observed in IT sector and green technologies. However, despite the overwhelming scientifically proven links between scientific/STEM knowledge and successful development of technology, many countries lack strategic approach towards promotion of relevant technologies related knowledge at the schools. Latvian, Estonian, Slovenian and Lithuanian elementary schools lack specific subjects that give an insight into the technologies. However, policy documents emphasise the need to educate the innovative and creative individuals, able to create highly technological solutions (e.g. Nacionālās Attīstības Plāns 2014-2020). OBJECTIVES: Overall objective: foster competence of STEM, raise knowledge and interest about green technologies, technical creativity and environmentally friendly production/manufacturing, enhancing best practices & educating opportunities – involving teachers, children, stakeholders and parents. Specific objectives: -develop specific STEM competencies of teachers in the fields of green technologies, technical creativity and science subjects to foster interest of pupils about mentioned areas; -foster society`s (parents, youth centres, municipalities, informal education groups) understanding about necessity of STEM for (grade 5-8) pupils, as potential entrepreneurs/scientists, and technology creators. TARGET GROUP: Project intends to work mainly with target groups - teachers ( STEM related) and pupils (grade 5-8). However, to maximise the effect, ensuring that complex approach towards STEM awareness - secondary target groups of parents and stakeholders will also be covered by proposed project activities. ACTIVITIES: ‘’Development of methodical material/guidelines about use of STEM in the formal and informal learning process’’ The methodology addresses teachers, that can apply it to raise knowledge and interest of STEM subjects. The created material will consist of 3 different sections. Research methods: content analysis, interviews if applicable and case studies. Informative and motivational materials “Importance of STEM. STEM and you. STEM in class.’’ The materials developed will target pupils and teachers to empower them and raise awareness of the importance of STEM. The materials are universal, since they are applicable for several target groups – pupils, teachers, parents and event stakeholders. Methodology: mapping, ‘’role models’’, visualisation. Trainings - There are 2 activities planned under Learning/Training section. First one is practical, intensive workshops - training, 5 days long for teachers. Second learning activity is connected with visit of few representatives of the Baltic states to Slovenia, where ''on-site'' visits are important part of the training. Methodology: frontal education, workshops, round table discussions, practical assignments, shadowing. STEM conference and competition for youth ''STEM cup''. The event is twofold - at first, it is meant to present created materials, further on to be distributed for wider use in schools. Invite appropriate speakers to present best cases of STEM engagement in different schools. Secondly, hold pupils competition on STEM experiments. RESULTS: The major expected result is increase of interest and recognition of STEM by technical creativity, technology and science elements as important competence among youth, stimulated by teachers. We expect that at least 58 000 pupils in Baltic will be reached directly by IO1 and IO2 materials in a long term run. Also around double amount would be reached indirectly.In total, we also foresee that around 4000 teachers from Baltic will improve their knowledge on the STEM subjects and transfer their knowledge to pupils. Important final result is impact of IO2 on the parents. Through the IO2 we plan to reach at least 10 000 – 50 000 parents in each country and raise their awareness. BENEFITS: We foresee that benefits will be: - Improvement of STEM support and awareness in educational sector; - Better use of methods to engage pupils in STEM attractively; - Increased motivation and engagement of pupils in STEM; - Improvement of networking facilities to allow more effective co-operation between organisations involved in work with STEM; - Wider recognition of STEM by stakeholders; - Better understanding of STEM importance by parents; - Long term impact of STEM popularity among potential students.