DRONES@STEAM aims to support teachers and students of Vocational Education and Training (VET), in an effort to introduce drone technologies into teaching and learning. In addition to acquiring and developing essential digital skills, it also fosters other key soft skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, creativity and initiative. These skills are vital in the 21st century working landscape, helping students adapt to the constantly emerging career opportunities while also enhancing the profiles of VET trainers and educators. The main objectives of the project were to promote: - STEM subjects not fully covered by current VET school curricula - targeted digital skills and use of technologies leading to Industry 4.0 - innovation and modernization, aimed at increasing the attractiveness and appeal of VET - new learning opportunities and career orientations across different sectors of the modern labour market.
STEM education connects learning (theoretical knowledge) with practical applications, in order to bring students closer to the needs of modern society and Industry 4.0. It is becoming increasingly popular since it uses the exploratory learning method and cross-curricular tasks & activities. VET is recognized for developing both job-specific and transversal skills, aiding the transition into employment, and ensuring the workforce's skills remain current and aligned with sectoral, regional, and local demands. Millions of learners participate in VET each year, but it often remains a less desirable choice and is commonly associated with lower academic performance. To enhance its appeal, VET must focus on delivering high-quality education and offering flexible learning structures, while strengthening its connections to the labour market. Drone technologies stand out as a fun, interactive, and hands-on teaching approach to modern classrooms, and are closely tied to experimentation and exploration. It is an exciting way to introduce students to STEAM-related careers and significantly enhance overall skill development, competence acquisition, and employability.