The session analyses the evolution of industry role in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education ecosystem, contributing to the debate on Education and Learning – “Teaching innovation. The art of changing perspectives and engaging with the future”. As many countries in Europe are suffering from low achievement and low interest among students in STEM subjects and related careers, this panel will focus specifically on the contribution that industry can offer to stimulate pupils’ interest, by improving the image of STEM careers among young people and encouraging them to think about the wide range of opportunities that STEM can bring to their lives in the future.

The STEM education challenges Europe is facing require a collaborative efforts among multiple stakeholders and more exchange of expertise and efforts in place, in order to identify best practice and overcome obstacles and resistance to change. It is increasingly recognised that learning does not happen only in school: teachers and pupils can benefit from being involved in activities that can help link academic knowledge to the development of a knowledge – based society.

The debate will outline key priorities and successful models for scaling up industry contribution to STEM enrichment and enhancement activities, within the formal STEM education and the informal field (e.g. science fairs and festivals), by engaging with schools and other science education stakeholders in the community.

Bringing together experts from different backgrounds to represent some of the most pioneering experiences in Europe and worldwide, the following questions will be addressed: What is the state of the art in school- industry collaboration across Europe, and what are the data available on the impact on education and career achievements? What are the main motivations to collaborate and what are the main frustrations/risks? What are the main challenges and key success factors? What are the main platform for community engagement and the role of science centers (industry exhibits, science fairs and evaluation of the results so far) in Europe and beyond?

Among the proposed speakers: John Price (Intel Manager Research and Evaluation, USA), Michal Dzoga (Science & Entrepreneurship Europe), Guido Terni, ACER Education EMEA; Kim Lansford (European Round Table of Industrialists), Marjolein van Breemen (Nemo Science Learning Center), Astrid Carl, Naturvidenskabernes Hus

Moderator: Alexa Joyce, European Schoolnet