Four Mondragon University projects earn the STEAM Euskadi seal
Four Mondragon University projects earn the STEAM Euskadi seal
Four Mondragon University projects earn the STEAM Euskadi seal
The STEMotiv project and EMBRYO are also finalists in the second annual STEAM Euskadi Awards.
Four research projects and initiatives of Mondragon University have earned the STEAM Euskadi seal: the STEMotiv, EMBRYO, IzanZTIM and PBLday projects. In addition, two of these, STEMotiv and EMBRYO, are finalists in the second annual STEAM Euskadi Awards. The STEAM Euskadi Awards aim to promote innovative initiatives in the scientific and technological training of young people and of women in particular. The winning projects will be announced at the end of May.
THE FOUR PROJECTS
STEMotiv: stimulate student STEM motivation through data intelligence, a tool to enhance the scientific-technological business network of Gipuzkoa. The project is fostered by the Ciencia Tecnología y Salud (ZiTeO) research group of the Faculty of Humanities and Education Sciences and the Data Intelligence for Energy and Industrial Processes team of the Vicomtech Technology Center and Ikaslan Gipuzkoa. Using Machine Learning (AI) and Big Data, one of the branches of Artificial Intelligence, the strategies and effectiveness of tools to influence the methodological training of teachers of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and to measure student motivation and interest in STEM subjects will be analyzed through this project.
EMBRYO is a European research project promoted by the Higher Polytechnic School of Mondragon University that aims to bring manufacturing closer to CSE students. Almost 25% of Europe’s Gross Domestic Product is based on industry and advanced manufacturing has a high priority on the strategic agenda of the European Union. However, the data indicate that the rate of new students opting for technical studies is low. With the aim of attracting young people to manufacturing activity, this project encourages people to take the first steps starting at a young age. The 5-year project is expected to involve more than 5000 young people from 5 European countries. During its first two years, for example, different groups of students designed and created manufacturing presses in collaboration with various schools in the Basque Country, visits to industrial companies were organized, etc.
IzanZTIM is an initiative of Mondragon University’s Faculty of Engineering aimed at junior high and high school students in the Basque Country, with the objective of maximizing the visualization, dissemination and proximity of STEM disciplines among youth. It is an activity that links three consecutive actions throughout the school year in each of the three trimesters, and those actions have been repeated annually since 2020. The initiative operates in 3 main areas: the visibility of STEM professions through testimonies and activities with professionals; highlighting and strengthening the role of women in the STEM world by gathering testimonies and encouraging reflection; and finally, illustrating what, how, where, when, etc., these professions and professionals have contributed to our daily life (with cell phones, elevators, GPS, air conditioning, materials, health, etc.). Fun and participatory challenges are introduced for the youth community to experience STEM disciplines and become even more familiar with them.
The PBLday event organized by Mondragon University’s Faculty of Engineering has again earned its STEM Euskadi seal. This exhibition of projects carried out in the different Engineering degree programs at Mondragon University promotes the technological vocation among young people and helps them in the process of choosing a specific type of engineering. The exhibition is held annually on the Orona Ideo campus in Hernani, Galarreta, and attracts about 800 people.
STEAM EUSKADI AWARDS
The STEAM Euskadi Awards aim to promote innovative initiatives in the scientific and technological training of young people, especially among women. The Department of Education of the Basque Government, in collaboration with the Basque Innovation Agency, Innobasque, organizes these awards aimed at entities that develop STEAM projects (acronym for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and STEAM Education, such as educational centers, research centers, universities, companies, etc. STEAM Education combines these different types of knowledge to better train students in science and technology and encourage their participation in the transformation of their environment.