It is not too often that we have the opportunity to change the world as educators, but as a STEM educator, we can do just that. By encouraging students to develop and maintain interest in STEM subjects, we are preparing the next generation of researchers, engineers, scientists and programmers to meet the growing demands for qualified STEM professionals, and preparing future professionals in all fields to leverage STEM approaches and techniques.

According to the benchmark set by the European Union, the percentage of fifteen-year old young people with insufficient abilities in mathematics and science should be reduced to 15% by 2020. Our STEM project addresses the needs to develop and take on new approaches to teaching and learning and to use new technologies to support and facilitate this. In particular, it provides STEM teachers with teaching resources and lesson plans to support interactivity and innovation within the classroom.

Additionally, STEM students will be able to participate in a virtual STEM mentoring scheme in order to raise the levels of self-esteem within students, to make students aware of the wide range of STEM careers and to promote more ambitious career aspirations.  

This state of the art report reflects opportunities for the development of STEM teaching and digital education competences for STEM educators at the European level. It also identifies strategies and makes recommendations for progressing this important area of learning.