Abstract:

Girls into Global STEM:
This Erasmus Key Action 2 project (2016-19) involving the UK, Cyprus, Poland and Sweden is aimed at developing a methodology which inspires more girls to consider STEM careers. Each country is represented by a university and/or NGO working with a partner secondary school. In year 1 the focus has been on trialling four 'Global STEM Challenges'. These fit into curriculum areas across Europe not only in science but also in IT, geography and citizenship. Each one is drawn from a Sustainable Development Goal:
Zero Hunger
Clean and affordable energy
Sustainable cities and communities
Climate Action

The 'challenge' in Year 1 was for older students (15-16) to develop activities for a younger cohort (12-14). These activities bring together science, global issues and mobile technologies and current thinking is that they will inspire pupils to think how science and technology can provide practical, often low-cost answers to important global issues. We have devised surveys for our school students both before and after the practical work and are currently analysing the results for both boys and girls. The project teams used mobile devices to capture digital assets during the trials then brought together their work in a series of eBooks. These books plus other project materials form the nucleus of both pre-service and in-service training formats which enable teachers and teacher educators to replicate and enhance the methodologies described above. See www.gigsproject.eu for further details.

Keywords:

STEM, girls, eBooks, global education.