Combining entrepreneurial competence & STEM skills

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Gain Creators / Outcomes

Student-centered—project-based approaches where students discover and deduce key concepts; experimentation, research, teamwork, problem-solving
Entrepreneurial learning activities focused specifically on STEM subjects at all ages—not just at university
Teacher support and training for such activities
In-school activities as well as on-site activities at industry locations, where people from industry interact directly with students and teachers.
Industry partners collaborating together to scale up activities with schools
Young people have a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses; more confidence about STEM skills
Young people enter the economy better prepared and are more productive

Gains / Needs

Education institutions need:

to have knowledge and experience from the business sector
to have access to more expertise in particular sectors;
to modernize their curriculum and teacher training—catching up on latest industry trends
role models from different STEM career orientations that can give young people an ‘inside view’
To reduce barriers between schools and industry
increase the entrepreneurial competences among young people and their understanding of how industry works; innovation and development processes

Target Group

Education institutions of any kind that wish to use entrepreneurial learning methods to improve students’ interest in STEM subjects as well as improve the learning outcomes in these areas.

Implementation Method

The most widespread seems to be through intermediaries like the JA network that establish partnerships between local businesses and schools. International businesses leverage their presence in multiple countries in order to scale up initiatives. Networks like EUN also leverage their access to Ministries of Education in order to create links between schools and industry.

Industry partnerships for the combination of entrepreneurial competence and STEM skills

Leveraging the knowledge and expertise inside industry (and industry associations) through well-structured entrepreneurial learning programmes to generate more interest in STEM subjects.

One of the success factors of entrepreneurship education is the fact that it emphasizes the practical. Math/Science/Technology can be anathema to many students if they do not understand how useful and relevant these skills are in real life.

For example, math skills and digital competences are very important in running any venture. They are fundamental to tradespeople in everything from construction to pipefitting to automechanics. Many consider ‘coding’ a fundamental language everyone should know. Science skills are fundamental in the evolution of so many sectors today. Thousands of jobs and innovations will come out of sectors like energy, healthcare, agriculture/food, natural resources of all kinds not to mention digital/ICT and the internet of things. Policy makers in Europe lament the widening skills gap which shows we do have job vacancies (mostly in STEM areas) and we don’t have enough skilled workers to fill them.

Interacting with business and industry people as well as participating in student-led projects that encourage the application of STEM skills helps build confidence and motivate students to pursue STEM careers later on.

Activities

coordination between the school and local industry
schemes such as mini-companies, innovation camps, specific competitions and projects
training/orientation of teachers and participating people from industry
awareness-raising and recognition actions inside participating companies

Resources

allocation of work time to support employee volunteering in schools
allocation of budget fromindustry and government to support the promotion of STEM skills in schools and teacher training either directly or through practitioner networks.
allocation of support people to support recognition and awareness raising actions; quality assurance (follow up and media/social media/special events)

Pain Relievers / Solutions

Awareness raising efforts and information STEM programmes that use entrepreneurial learning approaches and direct links with industry
Open source education resources and blended learning approaches that combine online/digital content with F2F
Teacher training in how to use these programmes in schools; schemes that promote experienced teachers working with less experienced ones
‘broker’ networks can facilitate the link between schools/businesses-organizations through the implementation of tried and tested programmes
Such networks can also facilitate access to the resources and support needed to manage the partnerships over time
Industry/government funding schemes that equip schools for internet access

Pains / Challenges

Lack of effective programmes designed to foster young people’s interest in STEM subjects, which are still approached in an academic way, discouraging students from pursuing them,
Both schools and industry often say they lack the contacts they need to establish successful sustainable partnerships
Teachers are not necessarily experts in how STEM skills are applied in industry;
Educators may be skeptical working with industry or feel uncertain about working with non-teachers in the classroom
Schools do not necessarily have the resources to manage these partnerships
Schools may not have a good technical standard (limited access to internet)

Additional information:

Examples of projects and initiatives that highlight the successful partnerships between companies and education that raise awareness around the opportunities in the STEM sector and give students the opportunity to develop their STEM skills.

Skills for the Future - HYUNDAI

JA Europe works with Hyundai Motor Europe to provide students with skills for the job market. The automotive industry is constantly looking for skilled automotive professionals who are difficult to find due to missing skills and competencies. The partnership between JA Europe and Hyundai Motor Europe is helping to increase the employability skills and entrepreneurship spirit of the young generation in Europe. During 2012-2015, 10,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 18 in 15 European countries have had the opportunity to try their hands at enterprise, learn valuable skills and apply their knowledge in new ways. With support from their teachers, they will be exposed to a variety of learning-by-doing approaches and work with Hyundai business volunteers from all over Europe. During 2015-2016, the Skills for the Future programme will run for its 4th consecutive school-year and aim to reach 5,000 students across Europe.

Sci-Tech Challenge - EXXON-MOBIL

The Sci-Tech Challenge is designed to motivate students, aged 15-18, to consider science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-oriented careers, and to raise their awareness of the importance of their STEM skills and how they can be applied in enterprising ways to tackle the challenges of tomorrow . The Sci-Tech Challenge currently takes place in ten European countries. It gives close to 5,250 young people in secondary schools the opportunity to participate in the Sci-Tech Challenge programme each academic year. Over 100 employees from ExxonMobil participate as volunteers. 90 teachers experience the Sci-Tech Challenge each academic year. The partnership between JA-YE and ExxonMobil brings together two organisations which are committed to the development of young people and maths and science education. The combined skills and experiences have enabled the development of a successful schools programme brought about to address educational challenges as described below.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF)

Intel ISEF (a program of Society for Science & the Public (SSP)) is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, where 1,700 high school students from over 75 countries, regions, and territories are awarded the opportunity to showcase their independent research and compete for approximately $4 million in prizes.

Impact in Europe: 23 European Countries | 26 national science fairs | 50k+ students reached annually | 700+ Intel ISEF finalists since the first Intel ISEF in 1997

Impact Worldwide: 500 + regional Intel ISEF affiliated science fairs | 75+ countries, regions and territories | 1700+ students at Intel ISEF each year in the US, over 20 000 finalists since 1997 | $4 million in prizes at US finals | 8 million+ students reached annually (through affiliated science fairs)

European Schoolnet — INGENIOUS

inGenious is the European Coordinating Body in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education. It is a joint initiative launched by European Schoolnet and the European Roundtable of Industrialists (ERT) aiming to reinforce young European's interest in science education and careers and thus address anticipated future skills gaps within the European Union. Through a strategic partnership between major industries and Ministries of Education, inGenious has the objective of increasing the links between science education and careers, by involving up to 1,000 classrooms throughout Europe.

SAMSUNG SMART Classrooms

Samsung Smart School program provides students living in underserved areas with improved education environments tailored to the levels of different regions, contributing to resolving the regional education divide. In the case of high-income countries equipped with basic networks, the company provides Smart School solutions to underserved students with limited education opportunities to offer advanced education and classes. For mid-to-low income countries, it focuses on providing basic infrastructure, donating buildings, education equipment and books. There are currently 383 Smart Schools under operation, concentrated in Europe and Southwest Asia, through the company’s global expansion initiatives. Read more here.

CISCO NetAcad - more information here.

Microsoft - Having an idea and turning into action is a significant undertaking. From finding financial backing, to capturing the attention of would-be customers, there are many steps on the journey to turning your pioneering idea into profit. Mentor-driven programs, such as Microsoft Ventures Accelerators provide advice for entrepreneurs seeking to overcome the challenges that come with establishing a company. During a three-to-six month immersive program, applicants have unique access to business mentors, marketing experts, office space and technology to help scale their business.