Executive Summary
This document summarises the design and main findings from the co-evaluation conducted during the implementations of the STEAM Labs (October 2023 through to 31st March 2024). Because of the importance of future-making as an educational, activities were designed to be creative, open-ended and unique to context including place, community, time and the people and institutions involved. Different methods were used to activate and to integrate different senses and ways of working, while the participatory process was key to interpret and to make sense together of what had happened and thus to grasp the relevant and impact of SENSE across the consortium. Given the transformative ambition of the project, the evidence of impact is used as a measure of both progress and potential, with respect to the three key principles of the SENSE. roadmap (Awareness, Action and Advocacy) and for advancing key EU policy priorities (Health, Green Deal, Digitisation and work-readiness).
Key messages:
SENSE. proved to be a flexible and adaptable methodology which addressed participants needs across different contexts. Specifically in relation to:
- The evaluation methodology is effective and employs an appropriate approach to assess impact and adaptability of SENSE. educational content and material.
- The SENSE approach resonates particularly well with female participants.
- SENSE is designed to engage learners of all ages equally.
- SENSE reduces boredom in STEAM learning experiences by making them more engaging.
- SENSE generates awareness of key policy areas, achieving work readiness and heightened awareness of environmental issues.
- SENSE provides practical strategies to sustain engagement, such as partnerships with employers.
- SENSE offers diversified suggestions for science education beyond the classroom, enhancing inclusion among different groups.
- SENSE is socially just, demonstrating applicability in diverse countries and contexts.
- SENSE can be aligned with national school curricula, covering topics like optics, sound, scientific instrument handling, data analysis, technological design, biodiversity, and climate.
- SENSE addresses the learning continuum by being successfully implemented in schools, higher education, vocational education, and informal education settings like museums and science centers.
Further reading
Read the full deliverable here
