The main objective of the project was to increase motivation in and during lessons in the STEM subjects by incorporating the mobile phone, which is very much used by pupils, and utilising its potential. We tried to take innovative paths and show the pupils how to use their mobile phones efficiently and in a fun way (activity) by using suitable apps, learning platforms, etc., but also through related excursions and workshops. However, we also addressed the critical use of the device (e.g. data security, rules of behaviour, etc.). Overall, we wanted the pupils to improve their IT skills. It was also very important to us to raise awareness of the fact that girls and women in particular are also successful in STEM subjects. This target group was particularly addressed in the project. The topic of ‘environmental protection and climate change’ was also taken into account. We paid attention to environmentally friendly measures when implementing the project (public transport, paper reduction, etc.). Other objectives were also achieved, including the promotion of social, intercultural and (foreign) language skills.
Our vocational college - as well as our partners - is increasingly working on digitalising the school in all possible areas and would also like to break innovative ground here. In addition to the school organisation, this naturally also affects the individual subjects. As colleagues who teach STEM subjects have so far participated little in European projects due to concerns and fears about communicating in English, we saw this as a very good opportunity to focus on actively involving them in European work. Our pupils have considerable learning deficits in the STEM subjects and have lost some of their enjoyment for this reason. Our female pupils in particular are often still stuck in stereotypes that STEM subjects are more for boys. We want to counteract these attitudes with our project. In addition, we wanted to utilise the European dimension of the project and promote the linguistic, social and intercultural skills of both teachers and pupils and emphasise our commonalities as Europeans. We want to improve school education as a whole.