STEM IN THE FUTURE: TRANSFORMING EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY

The European Green Deal states that schools play an important role in engaging with students and the wider community for environmental sustainability and develop the skills needed for a successful transition to a sustainable society. To explore the role of STEM education in sustainability, Scientix, the community for science education in Europe, organised an online Science Topics Networking Seminar (STNS) in collaboration with the projects GreenSCENT and Life Terra. At the event, more than 20 experts representing various stakeholders in STEM education came together to discuss good practices in STEM education in promoting sustainability education and supporting a green future. This observatory paper outlines the key discussion points raised during the seminar, supported by research from the scientific literature. First, there is an abundance of STEM resources and teaching material. There is a need to facilitate the evaluation and exchange of these resources and provide time and support to teachers for implementing them in their classrooms. Second, students could be more involved in sustainability activities that will help them see their impact on their immediate surrounding. This can be achieved with interdisciplinary activities that combine scientific concepts, critical thinking and active citizenship. A whole-school approach and greenifying schools can further engage students in taking action and be more motivated for STEM projects for sustainability. Third, more activities need to adopt the GreenComp and perform STEM in the future 2 assessments based on it to test it as a competence framework. Finally, STEM education for sustainability can be further supported with school visits to nature reserves, science centres and companies involved in sustainability.