Skip to content

NGSS Conference – About

International STEAM Conference

“Good Practices of Inclusive STEAM Education”

is organised within the framework of the project

Next Generation Science Education Through STEAM (NGSS)

The last years have seen a decline of interest in STEM subjects, despite the increasing demand for STEM skills to keep Europe’s knowledge economy growing and to develop a future generation of innovators needed for the 21st Century (EU Schoolnet). Underrepresentation of women in STEM is highlighted by the fact that almost 60% of graduates are women, but women account for less than 33% of scientists/engineers. Factors are connected to the ways in which science subjects are taught, their influence and motivation on student’s attitude towards science education. The EU highlights a need for cross-discipline learning and partnerships as well as the acquisition of basic skills and new methodologies based on learning motivation and experimentation in STEM. Cross-sectorial approaches that incorporate the arts and other disciplines into the more-familiar STEM model can facilitate the engagement and the creativity of young girls in STEM fields.

Recognising this need, NGSS aims to enhance, encourage and foster an innovative educational approach that integrates STEAM learning (i.e. applying art + design principles to science education) in primary education, through gender-inclusive methods and resources to promote a positive change of attitudes towards non–stereotyping choices in education and, as a result, attract more girls into STEM fields. As a 21st Century education strategy, the project aims to increase children’s basic skills in STEAM (such as creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving) and the competence development of teachers to effectively teach interdisciplinary art and science concepts, using a real-world context to foster more creative and collaborative learning environments in primary schools. To measure the impact on young girls using the NGSS tested approach, an effective assessment behavioural change model (B.A.M) has been created by the partnership.

The International Science Conference “Good Practices of Inclusive STEAM” aims to present the project outcomes and tools at an international conference attended by a variety of stakeholders from the education sector.

Website of the NGSS project: https://ngss.erasmus.site/