Gabriela Bruno's Learning Diary for the Opening Schools to STEM Careers course by Gabriela Bruno

Gabriela Bruno's Learning Diary for the Opening Schools to STEM Careers course by Gabriela Bruno https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers This is where I collect all my answers to module questions as well as relevant resources from the European Schoolnet Academy course Opening Schools to STEM Careers en-us 2017-10-01 14:55:06 UTC 2024-11-09 02:24:56 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padletuploads.blob.core.windows.net/prod/75869630/3794222d72daa4d7c2b4bd9a4e577efc/eclipse_lunar_15_VI_2011.jpg Introduction gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192767565 I am a portuguese mother of two beautiful twin boys and a little younger girl, living in Setúbal, a city where the Atlantic ocean meets Sado river and the beautiful Arrábida mountains. ]]> 2017-10-01 15:03:25 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192767565 Teaching context gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192767795 I'm a natural sciences teacher with a degree in Geology and a two years specialization in Biology and Geology highschool teaching. I´ve been teaching since 1991 in different schools and for the past four years I've been working at Escola Secundária de Palmela, teaching Geology and Biology classes from the 7th grade to the 12th grade. I also tought other subjects such as Environmental Sciences for VET - Vocational classes to obtain the 9th grade diploma and Communication and Interpersonal Relashionships; Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work; Organisation and Management of Health Care Services; Biology and Child Health for VET - Professional classes to obtain the highschool diploma .

This year I decided it was time to move and come to work in a school in my hometown so I've just started to work at Escola Secundária D. João II. Here I have some great labs both for Geology and Biology subjects and I'm also so lucky to work with some of my dearest friends from all times. I'm really enjoying the change.I´m currently teaching natural sciences - 7th grade - 4 classes and 9th grade - 1 class. I´m also the headteacher for one of the 7th graders class.

I often teach using my smartphone and I encourage my students to use theirs. My personal project for this year is to show my colleagues that technology should come to class and be a part of it. By the end of the year I would love to know that my students learned how to use their devices to improve the way they learn.

]]> 2017-10-01 15:05:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192767795 Module 1: STEM careers in schools and in the job market gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192768542 "The aim [of education] must be the training of independently acting and thinking individuals who, however, see in the service to the community their highest life problem."

Albert Einstein

Module objectives

The learning objectives of Module 1 are:

To learn what we mean by STEM and why STEM studies are important;
To understand what the STEM skill gap is while having a critical approach to it;
To assimilate the main benefits of career counselling in schools and to understand different cognitive-behaviour dimensions as pillars of career development;
To get an introduction to school strategies to foster STEM career awareness, taking into account different possible types of school career counselling scenarios.

]]> 2017-10-01 15:12:46 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192768542 Module 1 - 1.1. Introduction gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192768694 Almost everything in the modern world exists because of the work done by scientists, researchers, engineers and technicians. ]]> 2017-10-01 15:14:02 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192768694 Module 1 - 1.2. The world of STEM careers gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192769007 I think there is a shortage of STEM skills in Europe mainly because STEM courses tend to have very difficult exams that require a lot of work from students and some just take other courses with not so demanding exams. Also, after qualification, there is a shortage of job offers. There's a lot of graduates that can't find a job and have to move to different countries to be able to work in the area they chose to study. One other reason is that the STEM courses aren't evolving as quickly as the technology is and students find often that what they have been learning is already out of date. STEM courses should give them the necessary tools (ICT, for ex.) to be able to learn and improve on their own.

For further reading:

Is there a STEM skills shortage in Europe? Analysing the evidence: http://www.europeanschoolnetacademy.eu/documents/3432151/3432183/M1-C2-Article-1-final.pdf/e914fb4e-4ee7-4984-85af-bd0319ba81d5 and
Is there a STEM skills shortage in Europe? Challenging the evidence: http://www.europeanschoolnetacademy.eu/documents/3432151/3432183/M1-C2-Article-2-final.pdf/d6db9704-b825-4481-aabe-3600b5d576f5

]]> 2017-10-01 15:16:49 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192769007 Module 1 - 1.3. STEM career awareness in schools gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192772916 When we apply career counselling to the STEM subjects, some particularities arise. In the study entitled The Emerging Role of Science Teachers in Facilitating STEM Careers Awareness (Cohen & Patterson, 2012): https://www.nwabr.org/sites/default/files/pagefiles/teaching-STEM-career-awareness-PRINT.pdf, four cognitive-behaviour dimensions are outlined as the pillars of career development:

Awareness - students are aware and know the variety of STEM careers available;
Relevance - they see the connection between the subject they are studying and day to day life;
Engagement - students show direct interest in interacting with the subject matter;
Efficacy - students are comfortable with using scientific tools.

It also outlines four teaching strategies that foster STEM career awareness:

Incorporate both formal and informal approaches: constantly bring career awareness in your activities and do not keep it as a separate unit;
Help students see scientists as real people: students may have difficulty imagining themselves as scientists because they cannot see that scientists have a normal life, just like them. They have hobbies, families and various interests;
Connect the dots: it is not enough to just expose students to career information; the teacher also has to directly connect career information with whatever the student is learning at that moment. This can refer to making clear connections to the real-life use of subjects, or giving examples of how they connect to scientific jobs. The student will not always be capable of making these connections himself, and you will have to do it for him;
Embed reflection: To make sure that information sticks with students, embed some reflection to drive a deeper understanding. Otherwise, a lot of the information can be lost over time if reflection is not used to “glue” it.

This is relevant not only for teachers but also for Heads of School or career counsellors.

Although my school has good labs, we don't have a lot of time to try other things because of the extent of the curriculum. Also, science teachers don't know the new careers available and can't give counselling because we lack the knowledge. The information about STEM careers all over the world should be organized and available online. Neverthless, here in Portugal, in the different schools where I've worked, we do go with the secondary students to different universities on their open day to the community. There is a lot of different activities available and counsel to the students that helps them choose a STEM career.

]]> 2017-10-01 15:38:14 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192772916 Module 1 - Quizz gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192779996 2017-10-01 16:36:27 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192779996 Module 1 - Badge gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192780412 2017-10-01 16:39:47 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192780412 Module 2 gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192782344 Module objectives
The learning objectives of Module 2 are:

To learn about current STEM industries and professions;
To understand the evolution of STEM professions and jobs of the future;
To define and recognise what STEM skills are; specifically, to learn about the importance of introducing ICT and digital skills in schools;
To comprehend what soft skills are and how these can be transferred to students.

]]> 2017-10-01 16:56:00 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192782344 Module 2 - 2.1. STEM industries of today gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192805389 Resources to know about STEM jobs:

Glossary from the Florida Polytechnic University: http://stemstudy.com/stem-careers-glossary/;
Interactive guide on future technology careers developded by TECHFUTURECAREEERS: https://www.thetechpartnership.com/tech-future-careers/how-do-I-get-there/;
About a career in space: A webinar by Dr. Frank Danesy: http://www.space-awareness.org/en/careers/webinar/webinar-4-path-space-careers/ and the career hub of the space awareness project: http://www.space-awareness.org/en/careers/;
The STEM Alliance had a chat on chemistry and supply-chain career paths, that was organized in collaboration with EPCA - the European Petrochemical Association: http://www.stemalliance.eu/chat-1-after.

Other links where to search for STEM careers:

]]> 2017-10-01 20:12:40 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192805389 Module 2 - 2.2. STEM industries of tomorrow gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192809011 STEM Studies: The Future of Engineering by Scott Rhodes -

http://blog.scientix.eu/2017/04/stem-studies-the-future-of-engineering/
How do the innovative trends and advancements translate into actual jobs?
The Future Laboratory and Microsoft present 10 jobs of the future.

]]> 2017-10-01 20:46:29 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/192809011 Module 2 - 2.2. STEM industries of tomorrow gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199755571 2017-10-23 19:17:58 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199755571 Module 2 - 2.2. STEM industries of tomorrow gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199756081 2017-10-23 19:19:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199756081 Module 2 - 2.2. STEM industries of tomorrow gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199757425 What are some of the future STEM jobs we should be preparing for, in your opinion?]]> 2017-10-23 19:22:45 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199757425 Module 2 - 2.3. STEM skills gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199757766 Knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are crucial in responding to some of today's societal changes. Carlos Cunha (Physics, Chemistry and ICT teacher in lower and upper secondary schools) gives an overview on STEM skills from an educator’s point of view.]]> 2017-10-23 19:23:38 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199757766 Module 2 - 2.3. STEM skills gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199759404 In the Analytical highlight - Focus on: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Skills, STEM skills are defined as “those skills expected to be held by people with a tertiary-education level degree in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths” (EU Skills Panorama (2014) STEM skills Analytical Highlight, prepared by ICF and Cedefop for the European Commission). ]]> 2017-10-23 19:28:09 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199759404 Module 2 - 2.3. STEM skills gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199760966 How can we recognise the skills classified within STEM disciplines?

An easy way to identify them is by linking STEM skills to qualifications attained in STEM subjects. For instance, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Biology or Physics are easily classified as core STEM skills. However, it is not as easy as it seems, as the variety and type of qualifications vary from country to country, especially in tertiary education
Another way of defining STEM skills is by linking them to STEM occupations. The study below identifies 30 STEM occupations from mathematicians, chemists and engineers to statisticians or agricultural technicians. According to Bosworth, Lyonette, & Wilson, 2013, there are non-STEM professions that use STEM skills. There are also many STEM degree holders working in a non-STEM occupation who might still be using their STEM skills at work.

]]> 2017-10-23 19:32:34 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199760966 Module 2 - 2.3. STEM skills gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199781408 The Future Morph shows a series of videos on how different professionals use math and science in STEM and non-STEM jobs. From a bakery manager to a glass artist, we can use these videos to show students that STEM skills and knowledge are valuable in almost any career. ]]> 2017-10-23 20:44:18 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199781408 Module 2 - 2.3. STEM skills gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199782148 STEM skills of the future. In focus: ICT and digital skills
“in the near future 90% of jobs - in careers such as engineering, accountancy, nursing, medicine, art, architecture - will require some level of digital skills. But at present, half of all citizens in the European Union have no or low computer skills”
(eSkills for Jobs, 2017).
Future Classroom Lab- http://fcl.eun.org/fcl-regio]]> 2017-10-23 20:46:52 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199782148 Module 2 - 2.3. STEM skills gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199783305 The importance of teaching digital and collaboration skills:
Stress in Structures: A Collaborative Project for Two Schools in Catalonia: In this project, students faced different challenges. They learnt the concept of stress, a core element in the subject of Technology for 14 year-old students in compulsory education. In order to acquire the concepts, they used apps that helped them produce digital objects that display information and show what they have understood throughout the project. ]]> 2017-10-23 20:51:29 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199783305 Module 2 - 2.3. STEM skills gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199784066 The importance of teaching digital and collaboration skills:
Collaborative coding project between two schools in Sweden: This collaborative project between two schools from Partille and Jonsered in Sweden aimed for the students at programming, giving instructions, creating digital learning resources. The students also assisted in transforming creative ideas to tangible results, discussing and cooperating in a team. ]]> 2017-10-23 20:54:44 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199784066 Module 2 - 2.3. STEM Skills - Activity 3 gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199784488 (a) Which are the key competences for, and which are the skills specific to STEM industries?

Self-learning structure,
Teamwork,
Resilience,
Flexibility,
Agility.

(b) How can the school of the future help pupils and students develop these key skills?

Team work
Challenges that involve critical thinking
Teach in foreign languages (english)
PBL and IBL activities

]]> 2017-10-23 20:56:28 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199784488 Module 2 - 2.4. Soft skills gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199787602 Future STEM professionals will be progressively required to have greatly advanced ‘soft’ skills such as:

Project management skills
Communication aptitudes
Problem-solving abilities.

Gabrielle Ferguson, Talent Development Partner at CA Technologies, defines soft skills as any skill that as to do with a person interaction which includes learning skills of:

Communication,
Adaptation,
Time management,
Collaborative working,
Agile working,
Adaptation to change,
Response to change
Presentation skills.

In our classes we must start promoting soft skills when designing courses or lesson plans and that can be achieved by teaching:

Resilience, self-control and time management incorporated through pedagogical approaches like PBL and IBL.
Problem-solving tasks incorporated in group activities which also helps students to develop time-management and self-control abilities, emphasising the notion of self-regulation and time-on-task. If the working groups are small that can also encourage quiet students to express their thoughts in a more comfortable manner.
Incorporating student self-assessment into lessons helps them develop resilience and add a goal-setting approach to their educational experiences.

]]> 2017-10-23 21:10:19 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199787602 Module 2 - 2.4. Soft skills gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199806792 The 7 most important soft skills in the STEM areas. ]]> 2017-10-23 23:16:31 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199806792 Module 2 - 2.4. Soft skills - Activity 4 gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199806942 (a) Which are the key competences for, and which are the soft skills specific to STEM industries?

Good communication and language skills
Flexibility
Assertiveness

(b) How can the school of the future help pupils and students develop these key skills?

Group working,
Exposure of students to challenging situations,
Participation in debates,
Running business simulations and real-life experiences,
Asking students to provide and receive feedback,
Structure the communication process,
Developing organizational skills and boosting the learning of foreign languages through the CLIL methodology.

]]> 2017-10-23 23:17:51 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199806942 Module 2 - 2.5. WEBINAR: The Importance of 21st Skills and Industry 4.0 in STEM Education - Dr. Sahin Idin gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199809327 Save the date - it´s tmorrow.]]> 2017-10-23 23:37:11 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199809327 Module 2 - 2.5. The Importance of 21st Skills and Industry 4.0 in STEM Education gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199809620 For further reading:]]> 2017-10-23 23:39:18 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199809620 Module 2 - 2.5. The Importance of 21st Skills and Industry 4.0 in STEM Education gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199809763 For further reading:]]> 2017-10-23 23:40:27 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199809763 Module 2 - 2.6. Bibliography gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199809968

Applications of Data Science. Data Science at NYU. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 August, 2017. http://datascience.nyu.edu/applications/

Best STEM Industries. Industries & Professions. Best STEM Industries|Vault.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. http://www.vault.com/rankings-reviews/industries-professions/best-stem-industries

Build Your Future with O*NET OnLine. O*NET OnLine. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 August. 2017. https://www.onetonline.org/

Encouraging STEM studies for the Labor Market. (2015) Directorate General for Internal Policies, Policy Department A: Economic and Scientific Policy. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2015/542199/IPOL_STU(2015)542199_EN.pdf

EU Skills Panorama. (2014) STEM skills Analytical Highlight, prepared by ICF and Cedefop for the European Commission. http://skillspanorama.cedefop.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUSP_AH_STEM_0.pdf

The Future of Jobs. Employment, Skills and Workforce Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (2016) World Economic Forum. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs.pdf

Why You Should Pursue a STEM Career in Agriculture. Electronic Component News. N.p., 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2017. https://www.ecnmag.com/blog/2015/05/why-you-should-pursue-stem-career-agriculture

]]> 2017-10-23 23:42:09 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199809968 Module 2 - Quizz gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199811173 2017-10-23 23:51:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199811173 Module 2 - Badge gabrielabruno357 https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199811427 2017-10-23 23:54:10 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielabruno357/openingschoolstostemcareers/wish/199811427