‘Tinkering EU: Addressing the adults’ uses the Tinkering methodology with the goal to foster the socio-educational and personal development of adults, as well as their participation in civic and social life. The project aims to build adults' engagement with science, improve their 21st century skills and address their low science capital. Tinkering is an innovative pedagogy pioneered by the Exploratorium of San Francisco. It supports the construction of knowledge within the context of building personally meaningful artifacts. It designs opportunities for people to “think with their hands” in order to construct meaning and understanding and develop skills useful for a lifetime. Research shows that Tinkering holds key benefits for learning, especially for those who say “they are not good at science”. The project emerges from: - disengagement of many people in Europe with science - Technology/science competence gap increasing among citizens of different generations in Europe - Need for 21st century skills in social and professional life The project addresses adults and their families as well as adult educators (museum staff and community leaders). It will reach directly about 600 individuals through: -development of Tinkering activities that will be tested and integrated in the museums 'offers'. -definition of a methodological framework on the role of Tinkering in adult engagement. -organisation of small-scale and transnational training workshops for museum staff and other adult educators, building their knowledge and skills in Tinkering. -multiplier events for educators and other adults, carried out in the museums and or community centres/other settings. -dissemination actions at local, national and European level. Results a) A series of Tinkering activities for adults b) A methodological framework for the use of Tinkering to develop adults’ 21st century skills c) Small-scale training and transnational training events for museum staff/adult learning organisations. d) Multiplier events for the wide implementation of the activities, carried out with the involvement of adults from different socioeconomic background. e) guidelines for focus groups that will explore the way museum educators work with adult groups and families especially those from disadvantaged communities. f) a website containing all resources and activities from the project available to everybody. g) a Europe-wide community of practice working on Tinkering and Adults Qualitative impact Adults: development of 21st century skills for adults and improvement of their relevance with science Educators: improve their expertise in engaging with people from different backgrounds, use of new resources, material on Tinkering in their adult and family groups' workshops. Disadvantaged communities: empowerment of adults through engagement in science. For the communities: development of expertise in using innovative tools such as the tinkering approach in their services and introduction to notions such as the Science Capital concept that could impact on other sectors of their work too Overall the project aims to sustain a community of practice at a European level, contributing to the desire for informal learning organisations to become more inclusive places.
We aimed for: a. Stronger science engagement. The new generation is growing up with an exposure to S&T, yet adults are often left behind. We addressed this generation gap. b) Build 21st century skills. Adults need a broad set of skills to be professionally successful and better citizens. But educational systems have not focused enough on them. We supported them in building their 21st-century skills. c) Poor engagement in science, could have worrying consequences, in adults, particularly for those with learning difficulties, from minorities or other marginalised groups. We developed resources to support lifelong learning, contribute to 21st Century skills, build on existing communities, encourage exchange of expertise creating a Europe-wide community of practice. We brought together science centres and museums that aim to become more inclusive and representative of our contemporary societies and associate partners involved in community building and intercultural dialogue. We used Tinkering and science engagement as ideal opportunities for intercultural dialogue, bringing people together to experience science and its relevance to their lives, beyond cultural, religious, or other perceived barriers.
Across Europe school education is assessed in terms of achievements and targets that systems have set themselves, rather than their broader success in laying the foundation for lifelong learning. The current situation results in adults often not learning sufficient general skills while they study, having a shortage of 21st-century skills and feeling less to no connection with STEM. This project created tools and mechanisms to support adults in developing basic and 21st century skills and key competences using the Tinkering methodology. It focused on empowering especially those with low science capital and exposure to STEM practices to increase their creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking. Building on existing communities, we encouraged the exchange of expertise and practice between formal and informal learning institutions, creating a Europe-wide community of practice. We developed strategies targeting particularly vulnerable groups, including those with a migrant background and those coming from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Tackling this lack of learning opportunities tailored to the needs of low-qualified adults, we brought together experts to empower them and their families.