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Learning STEMs from Curiosity

2022-1-PL01-KA152-YOU-0000543772022Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: PL|LT · Grant: €34,540
New learning and teaching methods and approachesKey competences developmentDigital youth work

Objectives

Our project was based on the idea of STEM, so our approach to developing its assumptions was also based on this concept. In accordance with its principles, we tried to think in terms of problems and look for solutions in an interdisciplinary way and with openness to the "new". We have identified three main problems that our institutions and their students are currently facing: 1. The first problem was the post-pandemic decline in social skills among students. After students returned to full-time education in the 2021/22 school year, we observed an increase in problems with functioning in a group, compliance with social norms, and a significant weakening of bonds within classes and in general. In our opinion, the solution to this problem was to enable students to carry out a collaborative project. 2. The second problem we noticed both on the Polish and Lithuanian side was the decrease in students' motivation to learn and actively participate in extracurricular activities. After all, it is during such extracurricular activities that soft skills, valuable later on the labor market, are developed. In our opinion, the answer in this case was to be the idea of STEM, which both our institutions have in terms of school development. It made it possible to move away from traditional science teaching in favor of an interdisciplinary approach. But even more importantly, it placed a strong emphasis on practice and solving real problems. Thanks to the fact that it allows learning through experience, gives a lot of freedom, focuses on practice and also allows you to include healthy competition in the learning process, or even gamification, it is a great way to stimulate creativity and curiosity in students and thus increase their motivation to learn and improve extracurricular activities. Hence the title of our project - Learning STEMs from Curiosity. 3. The third problem was related to the opportunities of young people in the future labor market and its current challenges. As companies digitize, automate and transform, finding candidates with both technical and soft skills is more important than ever. The solution to this problem was the extensive use of new ICT technologies as part of our project and relying on non-formal education. Therefore, our project directly responded to the above-mentioned problems, and the actions implemented in it actually improved the situation in our facilities. Looking broadly, it can be said that the main goal of our project was to increase the chances of young people on the future labor market, which they will find at the moment of completing their education. Achieving this goal required the implementation of several specific objectives: 1. Increasing students' motivation to learn by stimulating their curiosity and creativity. 2. Counteracting the mismatch of competences with the future needs of employers by making students interested in science (STEM). 3. Development of soft skills by starting cooperation as part of an international project and promoting the pursuit of passions and interests as part of extracurricular activities.

Project partners (2)