Ziel

SellSTEM will train a new generation of early stage researchers (ESR) to bring fresh thinking to the twin issue of low enrolment and gender imbalance in STEM education and careers by addressing deficits in spatial ability among young people across Europe. A key factor of intelligence, spatial ability is strongly related to achievement in and attraction towards STEM learning yet is underdeveloped among many young people in Europe. The large gender gap in spatial ability in favour of males means girls are over-represented in the low spatial ability group and more disadvantaged in STEM learning. ESRs will be trained to collect spatial ability data from children in Europe, measure their relation to academic performance and career choice and analyse interaction by gender, region and socioeconomic status. ESRs will create ways to develop spatial ability among children through online learning, tactile activities, integrated with other subjects and through project-based learning including maker space workshop. ESRs will work with teachers and teacher educators to identify barriers and enablers to developing spatial ability so they can provide sustainable classroom solutions to increase the spatial ability of children beyond existing levels. Education policy and curriculum design will be critiqued against latest research on cognitive development. Improved policies and curricula will be produced along with strategies to change teacher education and teaching practice. Guides for teachers to assessing spatial ability and classroom teaching activities for different age groups will be developed so teachers can assess and promote growth in spatial ability especially among girls. SellSTEM ESRs will produce new knowledge and methods to promote spatial development, increase STEM enrolment and reduce gender imbalance and help to open up an important research topic in Europe. In this way, SellSTEM will and directly support the EU agenda for growth and jobs both now and into the future.

Zusammenfassung

Hürden im MINT-Studium für alle beseitigen: Die Bildung in den Bereichen Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaft und Technik (MINT) ist für ein nachhaltiges Wachstum und Stabilität von zentraler Bedeutung und fördert kritisches Denken und Innovation. Dennoch immatrikulieren sich nach wie vor nur wenige junge Menschen in Europa für MINT-Studiengänge. Hinsichtlich des räumlichen Vorstellungsvermögens besteht ein großes geschlechtsspezifisches Gefälle zugunsten von Männern. Frauen sind hingegen in der Gruppe mit geringeren räumlichen Fähigkeiten überrepräsentiert und damit in den MINT-Bereichen stärker benachteiligt. Das EU-finanzierte Projekt SellSTEM wird Nachwuchsforschende ausbilden, um Erkenntnisse über mögliche Lösungsansätze im Hinblick auf die niedrigen Immatrikulations- und Rekrutierungsquoten und dieses große Geschlechtergefälle in der MINT-Bildung zu gewinnen. Dazu wird das Projekt (i) Nachwuchsforschende in der Erfassung und Analyse von Daten zu den räumlichen Fähigkeiten von Kindern ausbilden, (ii) innovative Methoden entwickeln, um die räumliche Vorstellungskraft über das bestehende Niveau hinaus zu verbessern, und (iii) gemeinsam mit Lehrkräften Möglichkeiten erarbeiten, um diese neuen Ansätze nachhaltig in die Lehrpraxis zu integrieren.

Zusammenfassung

SellSTEM - Spatially Enhanced Learning Linked to STEM - is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network to investigate the role of spatial ability in and for STEM learning. The team consists of 15 PhD students, their supervisors from 10 universities in Europe and 8 partners that will host the students on secondment. The project runs from Jan 2021 for 48 months and is coordinated by TU Dublin.