In a society undergoing rapid technological evolution with a growing need to train qualified professionals in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and develop 21st century skills, it is essential to encourage young people to pursue careers in these areas. To face these challenges, an interdisciplinary educational approach in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) is recommended, with the aim of removing the barriers that separate the different areas, integrating them into real and relevant learning experiences.
Within the scope of the “Impulso Adultos” and “Impulso Jovens STEAM” programs of the “Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência” (PRR 2021-2026), the Santarém Polytechnic University of saw its application approved with the “Consórcio Entre o Tejo e o Mar – CETM” project, in consortium with the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar and the Nautic School Infante Dom Henrique. With this project, the aim was to expand Short-Term Postgraduate training, contributing to the training of specialized senior staff necessary for companies and for innovation and entrepreneurship in the regional ecosystem. These PRR programs aim to graduate over 18 thousand students from higher education in the fields of science, engineering, technology, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) by the end of 2025, compared to the total number of graduates in 2020, and qualify around 100 thousand adults by the end of 2025 (50% of higher education graduates among the population aged 30-34 by 2030 compared to around 37% in 2020). Therefore, combined with the stimulus to attract more young people to STEAM areas, there is a need to increase the number of adults in higher education, promoting the conversion and/or updating of skills through the reinforcement and diversification of training, in partnership with companies, local authorities and local, regional, and national public entities.
In this context, we created a Postgraduate Program in STEAM Education, included in the “Impulso Adultos” program (over 23 years old). This training was aimed at technical staff from companies, local authorities or other public entities, associations, and teachers at various levels of education.
Patnerships: Agrupamento de Escolas de Alcanena, Agrupamento de Escolas Professor Agostinho da Silva (Sintra), Arabot HiFi, Material Eletrónico e Didático, Associação Portuguesa de Professores de Biologia e Geologia, Carsoscópio – Centro de Ciência Viva do Alviela, EASE – European Network of STEAM Educators, Município de Torres Novas, Parque Ambiental – Município de Constância and TAGUSVALLEY – Associação para a Promoção e Desenvolvimento do Tecnopolo do Vale do Tejo.
The Postgraduate Program in STEAM Education was held in blended learning and its 1st edition took place between September 2023 and January 2024. It included the following courses: – Innovation in STEAM Education, with 7 ECTS and 35 contact hours
– Programming and Robotics in STEAM Education, with 8 ECTS and 40 contact hours;
– STEAM Outdoor Education, with 7 ECTS and 35 contact hours;
– Activities and Projects in STEAM Education, with 8 ECTS and 40 contact hours.
In this 1st edition, 11 students completed the postgraduate program with success.
Teaching Team (LQRC): David Catela, Elisabete Linhares, Maria Clara Brito, Maria Clara Martins, Marisa Correia (Coordinator) and Raquel Santos (Subcoordinator).
More information is available at the website www.academicos.ipsantarem.pt