Creation of transnational network of science fairs and exchange of good practices to improve STEM competences and improve the inclusion of all students

STEMFAIRNET is committed to science fairs as initiatives with great potential in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education (STEM). Despite the great success of this type of events, the fact that the organizations responsible for these fairs have different nature, and that there is no common framework based on how to design and organize them, sometimes leads to these events fall into something anecdotal and isolated from the educational activity of the participants. In this sense, the STEMFAIRNET project seeks to generate knowledge through the exchange of good practices, which will allow European science fairs to go one step further, promoting a model of science fair especially aimed at: 1) optimizing the development of the STEM competences of students between 12 and 18 years 2) promote among the young people the interest in studies and STEM careers; 3) promote the inclusion of all students in the participation of science fairs, not only the students with the best academic performance; 4) to create networks between science fairs, to encourage the exchange of good practices, knowledge, teachers and students. STEMFAIRNET is conceived with the aim of influencing the students between 12 and 18 years of age, STEM teachers, and the organizers of science fairs. Specifically, the project has as OBJECTIVES: 1) Identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing initiatives at European level in the field of science fairs focused on students' acquisition of STEM skills and competences. Good practices and proposals for improvement on the participation of the science fairs and the organization of the fairs will be disseminated in order to assist in the development of the aforementioned scientific, technological and mathematical competences, as well as transversal ones (digital , Collaborative work, etc.). 2) Train, help and motivate teachers with students at risk of dropping out or disadvantage in the participation of science fairs, which are often less represented in such science fairs. The project consists of six partners: three organizers of science fairs, two schools participating annually in this type of fairs, and a European network of organizers of science fairs. Four training courses will be held on the two stated objectives, and best educational practices will be disseminated for students, teachers and organizers of science fairs. To this end, testimonies of students and teachers will be disseminated through the internet, as well as reports of proposals for improvement, both organizational and participative. The expected impact and improvement in the long term is to encourage the acquisition of competences of students through science fairs, proposals for teachers and redefining fairs themselves as more inclusive spaces for all students.