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Astronomer in profile. Photo.

Anna Arnadottir

Research engineer

Astronomer in profile. Photo.

Outreach initiatives operated by universities for increasing interest in science and technology

Author

  • Lena Gumaelius
  • Monica Almqvist
  • Anna Arnadottir
  • Anders Axelsson
  • J. Alberto Conejero
  • José P. Garcia-Sabater
  • Lene Klitgaard
  • Cecilia Kozma
  • Julien Maheut
  • Juan Marin-Garcia
  • Henrik Mickos
  • Per Olof Nilsson
  • Agneta Norén
  • Margarida Pinho-Lopes
  • Manfred Prenzel
  • Johanna Ray
  • Torgny Roxå
  • Mirjam Voss

Summary, in English

Since the 1990s, the low number of students choosing to study science and technology in higher education has been on the societal agenda and many initiatives have been launched to promote awareness regarding career options. The initiatives particularly focus on increasing enrolment in the engineering programmes. This article describes and compares eight European initiatives that have been established and operated by universities (and in some cases through collaboration with other actors in society). Each initiative is summarised in a short essay that discusses motivation, organisation, pedagogical approach, and activities. The initiatives are characterised by comparing the driving forces behind their creation, how the initiative activities relate to the activities at the university, size based on the number of participants and cost per participant and pedagogical framework. There seem to be two main tracks for building outreach activities, one where outreach activities are based on the university's normal activities, and one where outreach activities are designed specifically for the visiting students.

Department/s

  • Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • Lund Observatory - Has been reorganised
  • Division of Chemical Engineering
  • Division for Higher Education Development
  • Academic Development Unit

Publishing year

2016-11-01

Language

English

Pages

589-622

Publication/Series

European Journal of Engineering Education

Volume

41

Issue

6

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Keywords

  • engineering education
  • Outreach
  • outreach initiatives
  • pre engineering education

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0304-3797