Eesti Teadushuvihariduse Liidu taotlus

EEA AND NORWAY GRANTS FUND FOR BILATERAL RELATIONS INITIATIVE PROPOSAL Title of the initiative: Knowledge exchange for the development of STEM education and after-school activities. Implementing entity (beneficiary state entity): In Estonian: MTÜ Eesti Teadushuvihariduse Liit (later we use shortened name TEAHU). Area of interest is named: Loodus- ja täppisteaduste ning tehnoloogia valdkond and shortened term is LTT. Estonian STEM* Education Union (NPO in Estonia) *STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Partner(s) (minimum one donor state entity): FIRST Scandinavia (foundation in Norway) Bilateral priority area identified by the JCBF beyond the programmes: promotion of core European values, such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights for all people, regardless of their racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity; v E-governance (digitalization) eastern partnership v equality and equal treatment competitive business environment, sustainable and adaptive governance (based on “Competitiveness Plan for 2020” approved by the Government of Estonia) Allocation (total sum) (A more detailed project budget description in the activity plan): Altogether 251 000 euros, containing: • FIRST Scandinavia project management costs 110 160 euros • Eesti Teadushuvihariduse Liit project management costs 12 550 euros  • FIRST Scandinavia delegation in Estonia 48 550 euros • Estonian delegation to Norway 79 740 euros Short description of the initiative: (background, aim, participants, activity plan, budget outline, communication and dissemination) Background: Norway is internationally known for its effective concepts in the field of STEM - especially with the NEWTON centers, launched by the FIRST Scandinavia foundation. The foundation also runs the First Lego League* (FLL) program, which is also widely implemented in teaching robotics in Estonia. *First Lego League guides youth through STEM learning and exploration at an early age. From exploration to discovery and then challenge, students will understand STEM basics and apply their skills in an exciting competition while developing study habits, confidence and teamwork skills. FIRST Scandinavia is a private equity-based foundation providing equal access to quality STEM education through Newton Rooms (owned or managed by local authorities). In addition, FIRST Scandinavia has been involved in the implementation and organization of projects and STEM concepts in several countries. There is currently no unified STEM strategy in Estonia, but the need to develop one has been recognized. There are also initiatives and will to develop the field. There are different forms of research centers, nature houses, and interest groups providers, all of which support the teaching of STEM in formal and non-formal education. Shortcomings show in the provision of STEM education at an equal level in remote areas. The provision of education in the field of STEM, both at the formal and non- formal level, varies from region to region. Several processes are taking place in the field and in the educational landscape (legislation, greater responsibility is moving to local governments, etc.) It is the best time to collect best practices. Estonian STEM Education Union gathers providers and facilitators of STEM education and is a strategic partner in the field to the Ministry of Education and Science. In order to develop the field in the best and sustainable way, it is important to collect and know the practices used elsewhere and to get acquainted with various possibilities for developing longer-term strategies. Getting to know FIRST Scandinavia and Norway's STEM strategy definitely offers this. Although it is not likely that we would order the establishment of a Newton center in Estonia through FIRST Scandinavia, we can offer FIRST Scandinavia representatives to establish contacts with specialists in the field who can be clients and also partners in the trainings they organize and in other projects. We can also offer an overview and examples of concepts currently operating in Estonia, which may prove useful in their further work, for example, when introducing concepts in other countries. Aim: Exchange and share knowledge, experience and best practice of STEM Education and strategies. between the countries of entities with the purpose for STEM field. Both - to start developing a STEM strategy in the future in Estonia and find solutions for better practices that can be used already in the present.  To the project representatives of Estonia it gives an important input for the development of the STEM strategy. Especially since the FIRST Scandinavia team has a broader picture of the STEM strategies of other countries thanks to the introduction of the NEWTON concept to other countries. In addition, exchange of knowledge - and exchange of experience - gives ideas for better/more resourceful use of existing conditions in Estonia. We could also use the knowledge of founding. For representatives of Norway, getting to know Estonia's concept so far offers ideas and input for further work in introducing their concept to other countries. Building partnerships and networking between entities or their members for future cooperation in joint projects or attending to courses. For the Estonian participants, contacts and knowledge exchanged during the project provides opportunities for the development of the field at several levels (ministry, municipality, school administrators, operators of STEM field activities). For Norwegian participants, the project primarily offers further cooperation contacts in the First Lego League concept for various joint projects and events at both the professional and youth level. But also in the rest of the STEM field to find lecturers and participants for various trainings and learning activities organized by FIRST Scandinavia. Participants: Participants from Estonia: Members of Estonian STEM Education Union, members of the board and employees and policy makers in the field of STEM. a) Participants of the foreign visit - 40 people. b) Participants of the brainstorming session from various interest groups during the visit of Norwegian representatives. Gathering of 50-100 people interested (policy makers, operators in the field, representatives of local governments, educational institutions and entrepreneurs). c) Knowledge from each event will be shared also with the members of the Union (130 organizations and persons) Participants from Norway: Representatives of FIRST Scandinavian concepts, implementers of the First Lego League concept. About 22 representatives. Activity plan: - Representatives of the Estonian STEM Education Union (including board members and employees, as well as policymakers in the field of STEM), visit FIRST Scandinavia's headquarters in Bodo, Norway. There will be a visit to the activity centers of FIRST Scandinavia. An introduction to the concepts and an overview of Norway's STEM strategy and good examples from elsewhere will be heard. Important topic in the discussions is the operation of the STEM field and development opportunities in rural areas, for children to have equal possibilities developing STEM knowledge.  - The first brainstorming meeting with the trip participants - regarding collected ideas, possibilities applying them to existing conditions or using them in the long-term strategy. Meeting format is encounter (held in Norway). - Sharing the knowledge gained during the field trip and the ideas generated from it with other members of the union. Meeting format is encounter and/or hybrid (held in Estonia). - Trip of FIRST Scandinavia representatives to Estonia (opportunity to visit at least two cities). There will be a visit to STEM field centers and providers representing different formats (discovery center, hobby school applying the FLL concept). - Joint event/ exchange of experience with representatives of the union and FLL concept providers in Estonia. - Development seminar in the field of STEM with the representatives of FIRST Scandinavia for an extended interest group (including representatives of ministries, representatives of local governments, heads of educational institutions, operators of activities in the field) who have expressed a desire to attend. The topic: practical milestones for developing STEM strategy and inventive ideas for using existing opportunities. Budget Outline: Altogether 251 000 euros, containing: • FIRST Scandinavia project management costs 110 160 euros Project management and mission cost 3 €12 960,00 Seminar in Estonia (4 days) 22 €71 280,00 Seminiar in Norway (4 days) 6 €25 920,00 • Eesti Teadushuvihariduse Liit project management costs 12 550 euros Project management and mission cost 1 €5 150,00 Seminar in Estonia (3 days) 5 €1 200,00 Seminiar in Norway (4 days) 4 €6 200,00 • FIRST Scandinavia delegation in Estonia 48 550 euros International travel costs 22 €13 200,00 Accommodation cost 22 €6 600,00 Food cost 22 €6 600,00 Local transportation 22 €2 000,00 Attending workshops 22 €1 650,00 Meeting with representatives of TEAHU 30 €1 500,00 Open seminar to everyone in the field (STEM) 100 €15 000,00 Unexpected expenses €2 000,00 • Estonian delegation to Norway 79 740 euros International travel costs 40 €21 600,00 Accommodation cost 40 €28 800,00 Food cost 40 €17 280,00 Local transportation 40 €5 400,00 Attending workshops 40 €4 410,00 Meeting with representatives of FIRST Scandinavia & €900,00 TEAHU and FLL representatives 40 Unexpected expenses €1 350,00 Communication and dissemanination: - Information about the upcoming project and registration is shared with members of the union through the members mailing list. - Information about project supporters is shared with each announcement related to the project (advertisement, registration letter, social media posts) - Updates and pictures about the project will be shared directly on the Union's social media channels. - Members/and interested parties will be notified of presentations and seminars within the project by letter and/or via social media. - Communication regarding the joint FIRST Scandinavian representatives meeting with TEAHU led by Norwegian representatives will be done by e-mail and/or through social media channels. Activity plan: Activity Time Location Cost Participants Detailed planning, October 2024 - Estonia 12550€ 1 (project manager, 4 preparations and April 2025 members of board of project management the union, who from Estonian NPO attend as seminar lecturers etc) Detailed planning, October 2024 - Norway 110160 € 3 (project managers, preparations and April 2025 seminar lecturers) project management from the foundation or Norway Estonian STEM February 2025 Bodo, 78840€ 40 specialists visit Bodo, Norway Norway Participants of the February 2025 Bodo, 900€ (meeting 40 visit hold a reflective (last day of Norway room rent) seminar visit) Reflective seminar March 2025 MS Teams Salary cost for -130 from the participants board members to other union attending meeting members hour (already in the planning section.)  FIRST Scandinavia April 2025 Tallinn+ 32050 22 team visits Estonian (first day of other STEM Union member the visit) (Estonia) organizations STEM education April 2025 Tallinn or 15000 (organizing 70-100 (informal ant other) (second day of Tartu and rent) development seminar the visit) for an extended interest group Joint April 2025 Estonia 1500€ (room rent) 30 event/experience (among the exchange of FLL visit) concept representatives in Estonia. Collecting feedback, April-July 2025 Estonia, Cost already Project managers completing reports Norway included in project from each participant and publication of management summaries Planned results1 OUTPUT INDICATOR TARGET Estonian STEM Union 40- representatives: 40representatives from representatives visit to First - have visited FIRST Scandinavia Estonia: Scandinavia, Norway in Bodo. -have knowledge of the existing STEM strategy and best practices used in Norway - have built partnership opportunities for future projects with the representatives the STEM field in Norway. Estonian STEM Union Estonian STEM Union participants of Estonian STEM Union representatives brainstorming the field trip: participants of the field trip meeting - have their first brainstorming (40) meeting for discussing -have knowledge of each priorities of future STEM other’s viewpoints and strategy in Estonia. values according to the future STEM Strategy in Estonia; -have agreed on the priority points for the STEM field strategy, also using the excisting possibilities. 1 Please refer to the Results Guideline Estonian STEM Union members Estonian STEM Union members: Estonian STEM Union meeting - have shared the knowledge members (130 and best practices of the organizations and STEM field in Norway, also individuals): proving STEM on equal levels - Have shared in smaller areas knowledge and - have shared the viewpoints best practices for future STEM strategy. further on the STEM field activists. - Have discussed viewpoints and priorities for future STEM strategy. Trip of FIRST Scandinavia FIRST Scandinavia representatives: FIRST Scandinavia representatives to Estonia - Have visited STEM field representatives (20?): centers and providers in -have knowledge of the Estonia existing projects and practices in Estonia - have built partnership opportunities for future projects with the representatives the STEM field in Estonia. FIRST Scandinavia representatives FIRST Scandinavia representatives: FIRST Scandinavia hold an event (with - Have held an encounter event representatives and representatives of the FLL in (with TEAHU and representatives of Estonian FLL providers and Estonia). the FLL concept in Estonia.) teachers (30-40): -have built partnership opportunities for future projects with the representatives the FLL concept in Estonia. -Development seminar in the field Discussion seminar meeting in Discussion seminar of STEM with the representatives encounter/hybrid format have been meeting on the STEM of FIRST Scandinavia for an held in Estonia on the topic: “Practical development topic has extended interest group (including milestones for developing an STEM been held for extender representatives of ministries, strategy and inventive ideas for using interest group from representatives of local existing opportunities”. different organizations. governments, heads of educational Discussion seminar has a institutions, operators of activities broad target group that in the field) who have expressed a can have important role in desire to attend. the development of the STEM strategy in Estonia. (wider target group).