Innovative teaching methods in engineering education: the STEAM- Active project

Technological evolution generates the necessity for innovation in companies. The STEAM-ACTIVE project (KA2-Erasmus(+)) aims to contribute to higher education innovation to train university students to meet market needs, i.e. to produce meaningful learning, and to develop multiple competencies according to an interdisciplinary approach to solve socio-scientific-technical problems. Specifically, the STEAM-Active project aims to i) improve engineering teachers 'knowledge and experience using innovative educational methodologies such as STEAM, ii) enhance students 'performance in engineering-related social issues by promoting their ability to integrate different disciplines in solving one problem as well as thinking about the environmental impact their actions have and iii) fight against gender inequality among students and increasing women's participation in engineering students and jobs. The project is aimed at university professors invited to include STEAM methodologies in their classes. Consequently, also engineering degree students will benefit from the STEAM-Active project. As a result, a Protocol has been developed for Teachers to illustrate the STEAM project design methodology framework with active teaching methodologies. Moreover, an E-learning-based training course for engineering teachers will be realized, including a theoretical description both, of STEAM approaches and active methodologies' implementation. As a final result, a collection of STEAM-based Teaching-Learning Sequences (TLS) will be designed. This material will allow teachers to guide students in applying a project- based learning methodology to solve specific challenges with socio-scientific-technological implications including gender and circular economy aspects in a multidisciplinary environment.