Abstract:

The aeronautic industry is a key driver of European cohesion and competitiveness, playing a fundamental role in facilitating economic growth and social inclusion, providing revenues to otherwise isolated regions and helping people to enlarge their horizons. However, the actual unprecedented economic crisis has posed several challenges that affect European competitiveness, performance and sustainability. From its early days at the beginning of the 20th century till today the aerospace sector has required a highly educated and innovative work force. As this sector operates in a long-term perspective of 20-30 years, the actual policy framework which is being implemented today and the assigned resources will shape and determine the performance and success of this industry for decades to come.
In the ongoing demographic trend the sector is competing with other sectors and requires a quantitative and qualitative employment preparation and forecast. Additionally, Europe is also assisting a main demographic development characterised by an ageing population and also declining of younger age groups. In this context, shortage of qualified personnel is affecting and will affect the aeronautic sector in the future, unless there is a joint effort to attract young Europeans to future careers in the field of Aeronautics.
A consortium of partners from 5 different countries (Portugal, Spain, UK, France and Netherlands) is developing a set of educational materials and tools to attract, motivate and encourage young Europeans to embrace future careers in the field of Aeronautics, by raising awareness and by fostering a close, open, informal dialogue and sustained interactions and networking activities between the aeronautics research community, industry and the scholar community (in particular primary and secondary schools).
After the identification of science and mathematics-teacher’s background and aeronautic-teaching needs-analyses, 5 tutorials dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths in Aeronautic will be developed to promote efficient science-teaching subjects, updated with the latest research developments.
Besides the material for teachers also an “edutainment” programme of activities was designed and implemented to generate passion for aeronautics in children and youth. The programme of activities (including hands-on experiments; games and simulations, visits, open labs, workshops, competitions, science cafes, training for teachers and career advisers, organisation of a national event called “AIR DAY”, etc.) will promote the establishment of a closer dialogue and allow a direct contact on a friendly, informal and fun environment between children and youth, parents, school community, universities, industry and several aeronautic key stakeholders.

Keywords:

STEM education, future careers in aeronautics.