Abstract:

The demand for professionals in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field is greater than the supply, and is being driven by the digital transformation of organizations, which was clearly accelerated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic reality. Thus, there is a very high employability potential for professionals with skills in STEM subjects. The project described in this paper is an innovative articulation program between the higher education institution - Coimbra Institute of Engineering (ISEC), Private Social Solidarity Institution - CASPAE and secondary schools of Coimbra region, and an organization of the 3rd sector. This project aims to develop technological and transversal skills in students through the implementation of a differentiated set of activities that promote interest in science and technology through the use of creative, experimental and exploratory approaches. It is also an important goal of this project to contribute to diminish the gender gap in STEM subjects, where women still represent a small percentage of students and professional in these areas, especially in engineering.

A set of interactive experiments are being developed in a laboratory located at the Department of Electrical Engineering of ISEC, using project based learning methodologies. These experiments are in the area of Electrical Engineering with the objective of showing the importance of this field of knowledge in sustainable grow of society and contribute to awareness of the use of renewable energies, namely solar and hydroelectric energy, and promote the electric mobility which presents zero emissions of pollutants, being also more energy efficient.

The developed interactive experiments will be available to secondary school students of Coimbra region through itinerant exhibitions, on previously agreed dates. School visits to ISEC will also be promoted, where participants will be able to interact with these experiments and have contact with the environment of an institution of higher education in engineering.

Keywords:

STEM, gender gap, electrical engineering, sustainability.