Revitalizing STEM Education in Europe

Through their collaborative project, UNESCO and Huawei Technologies have joined forces to foster the rethinking and revitalisation of the STEM learning model for the next generations, to confront the most pressing societal needs and global challenges. The project, which aims to advance STEM education, contributes to achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 4 – Quality education, SDG 5 – Gender equality, and SDG 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure.

Published in March 2024, the call for applications attracted 37 proposals from a range of STEM education stakeholders. In June, the project’s Supervisory Board finalised their selection of the 5 projects that will promote and enhance STEM education across Europe:

1. Gender and STEM Education in Romania (Belgium, Romania) 
   Aiming to fortify Romania’s role in gender-integrated STEM education, this project will be piloted by Hermann Oberth German International School in Romania in close collaboration with the Digital Leadership Institute, and Association of Women in Engineering, Science and Technology.  
2. Advancing Innovative STEM Education and Research in Earthquake Engineering towards Sustainable Environment: QUAKESAFE (North Macedonia)
   Led by Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, this initiative focuses on advancing earthquake engineering education and its role in fostering sustainable environmental practices.
3. Integrating and Supporting STEM in the Educational Curriculum through UNESCO Microscience Experiments Project (Romania) 
   Coordinated by the International Centre for Advanced Training and Research in Physics, this initiative will integrate microscience experiments into Romanian schools to enhance practical STEM learning.
4. Teaching Primary Mathematics through Problem-solving using Lesson Study (Malta) 
   The Ministry for Education of Malta, together with researchers from the University of Malta, will improve mathematics teaching through a problem-solving-based professional development programme.
5. TechBridge: Empowering Refugees and Migrants in Europe through Digital Education and Job Market Integration (Germany) 
   Operated by ReDI School of Digital Integration gGmbH, this project seeks to empower refugees and migrants with advanced STEM skills, enhancing their job market integration in Europe.

The 5 selected projects underscore UNESCO and Huawei’s commitment to revitalising STEM education through diverse and innovative approaches. They reflect a progressive approach to integrating innovative and cutting-edge solutions on STEM education, promoting international collaboration, and sharing best practices across the region.