Abstract:

The acronym "StAct" stands for Start and Act. Pupils pursue an idea and put it into practice. They are not researched but become researchers themselves by researching their own project. The students are seen as researching subjects and not as researched objects. This research project is located in the field of digital technologies and focusses on social and inclusive entrepreneurship in the digital world. Building on an innovative educational model developed in two preliminary projects, children and young people are empowered to express their ideas and visions in the research project. The pupils actually implement this self-chosen project at school and present the results of their work to stakeholders at the end.

The promotion of entrepreneurship is orientated towards the content of the curricula. The individualised support of learners within the framework of competence-oriented education that has been discussed in recent years often remains wishful thinking. There is often no connection to the digital changes in the world of work. Sometimes only AI, robotics, green jobs or the potential of new technologies for the healthcare professions are mentioned. There is also no link to the sustainability goals of the UN Agenda 2030, which represent the main current challenges in the form of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gender and diversity-specific professional concepts are also particularly important and will still be a major field of action in 2023.

"StAct - Start & Act" is based on the educational model developed by two international preliminary projects. This model enables children and young people to raise their voices through structured research processes. Students identify topics relevant to them, develop research questions and work through the research process themselves. From the evaluation of previous projects, we know that this approach is seen as highly motivating and competence-enhancing. The project comprises three phases:
1. dialogue (topic identification and research questions),
2. research (exploration and research projects) and
3. presentation (analysis and reflection), with the students at the centre and driving the process.

These phases are framed by "Living Libraries". As a participatory event format, the Living Libraries bring young people into dialogue with experts and practitioners. The individual and personal contact at eye level enables a unique learning effect on both sides. At the kick-off event, students and teachers will have the opportunity to meet and interview "Living Books" (representatives of start-ups and organisations). They also receive input about the Otelo Futurespace which provides a digitalisation playground with various play scenarios that allow visitors to experience the different effects of networked technologies. The individual stations show the scope for creativity that new technologies create in our living environment and the effects that can be triggered by them. At the kick-off event the students also familiarize themselves with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and get to know the other classes and individuals involved in the project and network.

This approach is reversed at the final event at the end of the project in two years' time. At the end, the pupils take on the role of "Living Books". They present their research results. The students communicate their ideas for social and inclusive entrepreneurship in the digital world. Stakeholders from the education sector, the family, the community and politics will listen to them.

Keywords:

Entrepreneurship Education, Vocational Orientation, Gender and Diversity, Participatory Research, Digitalisation, Inclusion.