Scientix Topics Networking Event:

Inclusive STEM learning environmments

The STNS “Inclusive STEM Learning Environments: What are the key elements to ensure all students have equals opportunities to learn STEM” was held online on 26th of October 2022.

Inclusive STEM seems to have a different meaning for different organisations and researchers. Thus, it’s necessary to first define inclusiveness. There has been a shift from inclusive education, referring to the education for disabled, to an inclusive learning environment, which considers the possibility of equal education for all students, irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, disability, social status or any other (in)visible quality.

To guarantee inclusive education and learning environments, there is a real need of a shift in educational culture in terms of teaching and support approaches. In this Science Topics Networking Seminar (STNS) we will explore the challenges of inclusive STEM and how to create inclusive STEM learning environments. The STNS creates the ideal opportunity to explore inclusive STEM teaching and students’ engagement in different contexts, because it will bring together key stakeholders to exchange knowledge and good practices, and to set the grounds for new partnerships and collaborations.

Fifteen participants with experience in the topic joined this Science Topics Networking Seminar (STNS), including the Ministries of Education from Belgium (Flanders) and Italy representatives from EQUALS-EU project / GSMA and Key2Enable, Lenovo, Lifelong Learning Platform, Lectures Without Borders, Smart Venice and Educonsult and, as well as project representatives from SpicE and Far Beyond the Barriers, and researchers from University of Macedonia and Universidad de Alicante, together with teachers with experience in the topic. In this seminar, participants explored what are the latest trends in STEM education.

The main aims of this STNS co-organized by Scientix, SpicE and Far Beyond the Barriers were:

• Exploring how to design and create supporting inclusive STEM learning environments.
• Reflecting on the lessons learned from the experiences of teachers, researchers, industry partners, ministries of education and other key stakeholders.
• Provide a platform for exchanging knowledge and build a community around the topic of inclusive STEM learning environments.
• Agree on additional actions that could be taken to address inclusive STEM in the classroom and science labs.

The organisers collected ideas, comments and general conclusions agreed between participants during the workshop. The results of the discussion were published as a Scientix Observatory article co-authored by all participants, which you can access here.

Presentations:

Presentations by the co-organisers

• SpicE
• Far Beyond the Barriers

Guest presentations

• Setting the scene
• Challenges and opportunities
• Solutions and best practices

Disclaimer:

The work presented in this document has received funding from the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme – project Scientix 4 (Grant agreement N. 101000063), coordinated by European Schoolnet (EUN). Far Beyond the Barriers is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. SpicE is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or he European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. The content of the document is the sole responsibility of the organizer and it does not represent the opinion of the European Commission (EC), and the EC is not responsible for any use that might be made of information contained.