Description
The lack of specialists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is currently a significant problem throughout Europe. In Lithuania STEM does apparently not attract sufficient number of individuals. 46.4% of all students in universities prefer social sciences, and vocational schools are leading in the personal services studies. There is a lack of practical adaptation and understanding of theory when it comes to teaching of exact and natural subjects theoretical in schools, and how this knowledge can be adapted to everyday life. Poor interest in school results in low enrollment in STEM subjects together with shortage of potential specialists in the labor market, as well as the the demand for employees in these professions, is growing relentlessly. The European Commission estimated that in 2020, there will be 16 million vacancies for STEM professionals, and in Lithuania in 2010–2012 alone, 30 thousand vacancies appeared in information and communication technology (ICT) and logistics sectors. In order to achieve the best effect it is necessary to take into account the good practices of foreign countries and after assessment of the situation in Lithuania’s STEM fields to offer solutions matching labor market demands. To achieve this result during the project a good practice STEM learning guide based on robotics technology, which will prepared using the experience of the Norwegian partners.
Summary of project results
The lack of specialists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is currently a significant problem throughout Europe. Poor interest in school results in low enrollment in STEM subjects and shortage of potential specialists in the labor market, and the demand for employees in these professions is growing relentlessly (Kaunaitė, 2015). The European Commission estimated that in 2020, there will be 16 million vacancies for STEM professionals, and in Lithuania in 2010–2012 alone, 30 thousand vacancies appeared in information and communication technology (ICT) and logistics sectors. In Europe, various ways are applied to renew teaching of the exact sciences subjects and to popularize them, but their impact on pupils’ learning outcomes and interest is different. Therefore, in order to achieve the best effect, it was necessary to take into account the good practices of foreign countries and after assessment of the situation in Lithuania’s STEM fields to offer solutions matching labor market demands. To achieve this result during the project using the experience of the Norwegian partners a good practice STEM learning guide based on robotics technology was prepared. Using the developed good practice guide a learning methodology based on the robotics technology was developed. For high-quality results, persons from the applicant and partner organizations improved their competences in 1-week long traineeship, and Norwegian experts conducted 2-days training in an international conference held in Lithuania. Based on this experience, together with project partner Baltupiai progymnasium a good practice on the use of robotics in STEM learning guide was developed and two articles were prepared.
Summary of bilateral results
The main achievement during the Project was preparation of a good practice based on robotics technology STEM learning gide and developement of learning methodology. The preparation of the gide and methodology was possible due to close cooperation with Norvegian partners.