How to Interest Youngsters in Technical Vocations Comenius Regio Partnership Between Region Hannover and ‘S-Hertogenbosch

How to interest youngsters in technical vocations Comenius Regio Partnership between Region Hannover and ‘s-Hertogenbosch

Preface

Texchange – we need technology to meet the challenges in a changing world, for instance in order to save energy and other resources, to change our life to make it more sustainable.

Texchange – that is the symbol of our partnership. While taking part in a conference about the new Comenius regio partnerships, two people from the municipality ‘s-Hertogenbosch and from Region Hannover agreed that it would be worthwhile to work together in the field of transition from school to job to achieve a better transition between school and labour market.

In the exchanges (period 2010-2012) it was clear that the topic was of great importance. Both regions struggled with the same problems and challenges. Promoting technology is necessary to get more qualified technical people into the labour market. In the education system, technology is still under-exposed. In this Texchange project we tried to get a clear picture of the factors which play an important role in why technology is still missing in a lot of schools. More and more companies take the initiativ e to influence this lack of attention in schools. In Texchange we collected good pr actices, which can help to bridge the gap between education programs and the demands on the labour market.

Texchange – that can be a toolbox for you, a toolbox with different best practices from both regions in order to interest youngsters in technology. There are projects for children in Kindergarten, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Vocational Colleges. Please take advantage.

Best wishes,

Theo van de Veerdonk Sabine Nolte municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch Region Hannover

Content

p. 1 Preface p. 3 Content p. 4 Texchange – The idea p. 5 The partner regions: ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Region Hannover p. 6 The partner organisations p. 8 During the project p. 10 How to create interest in technical vocations – best practices p. 11 TechXperience p. 12 Little scientist’s house p. 13 Workshopday Technics and Art p. 14 House of Learning p. 15 Wichelroede p. 16 Reportersproject p. 17 Miniphänomenta p. 18 Kunstructeur p. 19 First Lego League p. 20 Science for Kids p. 21 Technasium p. 22 JeT Kompetenzzentrum Fertigungstechnik p. 23 Vocational orientation p. 24 Technet p. 25 Crafts meet youth and Young professionals in crafts p. 26 Schulverbund am Deister p. 27 Vmbo-Kanjers p. 28 Waterfabriek p. 29 Request-oriented project work p. 30 Conclusions p. 32 Imprint

3 TeXchange – The idea

Background and objectives of the project

Both the municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Region Hannover experience a problem with interesting young people in technical vocations. This is important to deal with because there will be a great need for technical staff in the near future due to demographical developments.

Because of the negative image of technical vocations, too few students, especially girls, choose a vocational education in this direction. Many young people are only interested in a few vocations. Secondly, youngsters often drop out of their vocational training.

In Region Hannover there are young people without a place for in-company training and at the same time free places for vocational training.

In this Comenius Regio Partnership, both regions, including the local partners involved from education and business, exchanged and discussed good (and bad) practices in order to awaken children’s and students’ interest in technical vocations and to improve the image of technical vocations.

The main question is how the youngsters’ interest in technology can be awakened and how it can be developed by career orientation and career guidance at secondary schools. Different groups must thereby be differentiated by age and gender. During the two years of the partnership, ongoing projects in both regions should be evaluated to learn which approaches are successful and which methods are able to achieve a better fit between school and labour market and to decrease the number of dropouts.

4 The Partner regions: ‘s-Hertogenbosch & Region Hannover

City meets Region

The structures are different; especially the school systems – but problems and objectives are similar.

• ‘s-Hertogenbosch is the capital of Noord-Brabant, the largest province of the Netherlands. The city has approximately 141,000 inhabitants; around 15,000 inhabitants have a non-western ethnic background (10.7%).

• Region Hannover is a regional corporation of 21 municipalities – a special communal institution, formed in 2001 in order to pool regionally significant tasks. Approximately 1,132,000 people live in the area of the Region, around 523,000 of them in Hannover, the capital of Lower Saxony. Among other things, Region Hannover is responsible for social and youth welfare, regional planning, regional promotion of economic development and employment and for the 15 vocational colleges.

• The unemployment rate in the Netherlands is 6%, in Noord Brabant 5.3%, in the city of ’s-Hertogenbosch 6.3% (May 2012). The youth unemployment rate (15-26 years) in the Netherlands is 10.9%, in Noord Brabant 12.8%.

• The unemployment rate in Germany is 6.7%, in Region Hannover 8.7% (May 2012). The youth unemployment rate (15 – 24 years) in Germany is 5.5% (June 2012).

• ’s-Hertogenbosch is the birthplace of Hieronymus Bosch, the great Northern Renaissance painter.

• The Great Garden of Herrenhausen is one of the best preserved baroque gardens in Europe.

• ’s-Hertogenbosch is home to one of the largest Heineken breweries in Europe.

• The Hannover Fair, the biggest exhibition of capital goods in the world, and CEBIT, the biggest fair in the fields of communication, take place in Hannover.

5 The partner organisations

Municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch The municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch is the capital of Noord-Brabant, the largest province of the Netherlands. The city has approximately 141,000 inhabitants and offers a wide range of education. One of the main goals of Youth and Education Policy in ‘s-Hertogenbosch is to reduce the number of young people leaving school without qualifications. A considerable number of projects for preventing early school leaving, youth unemployment and projects aimed at reintegration of youngsters have been developed. Because of our involvement in these projects, the municipality of “Texchange plays an important role on our way to ‘s-Hertogenbosch has close contacts with all educational institutions in a well-functioning labour market. The original idea was to exchange between two regions (Hannover in and around the city. Germany and ’s-Hertogenbosch) and learn from each other. The conclusion was made in both countries Hervion College that technology has to be promoted. We got a good picture of all efforts made at schools and municipali- Hervion College is a secondary school for prevocational education in ‘s-Her ties to get more youngsters interested in technical togenbosch. The director of Hervion College is chairman of the board of vocational education. There is still a lot of work to do in the coming years. With Texchange the attention on directors of all schools of secondary education in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (DOVO). technology grew and hopefully we can go on to inter- On behalf of DOVO, Jeroen Bosch College is the school which participates est more people in technical jobs… The labour market in this project. The students are from 12 to 18 years old. Secondary schools is waiting for these technicians! People of Hannover, thanks for your hospitality and inspiration!” in ‘s-Hertogenbosch deal with the problems of career orientation and career guidance. A lot of students have (hidden) competences to be prepared Theo van de Veerdonk (project manager for education, the labour market and European cooperation in the for a technical job in the future. However, there is a lack of the right guid- municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch ) ance in choosing the right profession. The secondary schools want to get a better insight in the choice process for technical vocational training.

Signum Signum is the board of 25 primary schools in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Signum wishes to cooperate with other local organisations in the field of education, child care and preschool education. Signum has contributed to the project ‘On the wings of technique’ in order to improve methods which increase attention to technology in primary education. The primary school KC Ster- renbosch participates in this project on behalf of Signum.

TechXperience TechXperience! is a foundation that tries to get more students into vocational technical education and increase the number of qualified employees in the region of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Boxtel, Waalwijk and Zaltbommel. In order to achieve that goal, TechXperience! has formed a network of schools, businesses and (local) government. Within this network TechXperience! “If the Texchange program made one thing clear, it is this: initiates technical projects for primary schools, secondary schools, prevo- To get technical studies really in the picture for cational, vocational and higher vocational education. youngsters, students and parents, it must be clear They try to create a number of activities to improve the image of technical to them that it is all about creating, creating a better world or creating beautiful things, and looking for, vocations. Our working method is one in which the line from primary school and finding solutions to people’s problems. to higher education and actual careers is most important. All projects have To realize that, cooperation between companies, the participation of schools as well as companies. schools and government is essential and should be very visible to new potential technical students. They The network extends to the province of Noord-Brabant through our col- must feel wanted and cared for, a valuable ‘asset’ to laboration with four other foundations that are formed in other regions. In companies and society. this regard we explicitly work together with the province of Noord-Brabant. If companies are only in this game for their own benefit, this will show and damage the process. School Department of Region Hannover Therefore all activities presented to get youngsters enthusiastic and help them to make a choice for a The school department of Region Hannover is responsible for 15 vocational technical career must show a continuous line and feel schools. Changeover from school to occupation is a very important topic for as a total program.” the Region Hannover. Together with other stakeholders, the Region Han- Jouke Dijkstra (VET-school KW1C - TechXperience) nover is engaged in improving the transition between school and the labour market by developing the vocational colleges into specialized centres of vocational competences, by supporting the cooperation between general

6 education schools and vocational schools and by cooperating with partners who are also interested in a better transition to develop systematic vocational orientation and preparation in the secondary schools and to advance the quality of the vocational choice process.

Berufsbildende Schule Metall-Elektrotechnik Otto-Brenner-Schule The BBS ME is a Vocational Training Centre for various forms of vocational training and education concerning mechanical and electro technical engineering, including the qualification for studies of engineering or natural sciences. The subject of this partnership – how young people can become interested in technical vocations – is therefore an essential question for BBS ME. For many years the school has cooperated with secondary schools in order to “Technology is fun and creative, and it is crucial to improve the career orientation of students in general education schools. learn this. I want girls to learn this in particular.” Nevertheless, too many young people choosing a technical education Sabine Nolte, are not sufficiently orientated. Youngsters with good grades often do not Partnership Coordinator in Region Hannover choose technical vocations, and especially the number of girls in BBS ME is very small. Concerning this partnership, BBS ME is interested in learning from good practices in the partner region in the Netherlands to improve the career orientation in Hannover and in order to increase the inflow of technical staff.

Berufsbildende Schule 6 The BBS 6 is a Vocational Training Centre for vocational preparation, vocational basic qualifications and automotive engineering. For many years the school has cooperated with different secondary schools and companies in order to improve the technical education in general education schools and to support the career orientation of poorly educated students. Moreover, since 1994 BBS 6 has participated in a special exchange project where so- cially and educationally disadvantaged young people from Germany work and live together with young trainees from Oswiecim (Poland) in order to “Now it is necessary to communicate the impressive advance peaceful living in Europe. examples from ‘s-Hertogenbosch and the Region Hannover in such a way that technology plays a large Because of the experiences in the field of career orientation and vocational role in the heads of children and young people when preparation on the one hand, and in the field of improving technical edu- choosing their careers.” cation on the other hand, the subject of the partnership – how can young Wolfgang-F. Heuer, BBS ME people become interested in technical vocations – is an important topic for BBS 6. The school wants to learn from good practices in the partner region and is especially interested in the question of how the cooperation with companies can be improved.

Handwerkskammer Hannover [Hannover Chamber of Crafts] As a public corporation, the Hannover Chamber of Crafts (HWK) performs many tasks regulated by law concerning more than 18 000 companies. Aside from the business inspectorate, the HWK is responsible in particular for vocational training in more than 64 different trades and attends to career orientation, counselling of training companies, mentoring of trainees and conducting the trade tests. In order to care for qualified junior staff for craft enterprises, HWK Hanno- ver has been engaged in several projects together with other stakeholders. “Inspiring and refreshing to take notice of 20 inter- In January 2011 the Chambers of Crafts started a nationwide campaign to ventions within the cooperation project Texchange improve the image of craft, because people, and especially young people, between the regions of Hannover and ’s-Hertogen- bosch. This exchange leads to more (necessary) only know few skilled trades. attention to technology in the whole range of career The subject of the partnership – how to interest young people in technical orientation and career guidance.” vocations – is therefore a very important issue for the organisation. HWK Hans Migchielsen, ’s-Hertogenbosch especially wants to know how the youngsters’ interest can be awakened. That is no question of information, but it depends on the emotional open- mindedness for such information. The Chamber wants to learn from good practices in the partner region and is especially interested in the question of how the partner region cooperates with small companies.

7 During the project

Project Planning (September 2010) After the joint application had been approved, the partnership started in September 2010. The partners from the two school departments discussed the possible topics and dates for the whole period of two years. A trans national steering group was suggested, in which all local partners should take part to plan und evaluate the workshops and conferences.

Starting conference in Hannover (November 2010) Here all partners involved met for the first time – an exciting moment! Eve- “To garner more attention for technical education and professions, we have to start early. It’s more ryone was very curious to get to know the partners from the other region. than necessary that young children can exper All partner institutions introduced themselves and expressed their main iment, explore, create and develop these skills in questions for our project. Very quickly the participants felt comfortable with a technical environment or in technical lessons at primary schools. It’s not only about children: It’s very each other and serious discussion began. important that children show the results, products An impressive film from the chamber of crafts showed that it is impor- and, more than that, their enthusiasm for technical tant to touch emotionally in order to make people open-minded towards vocations, to their teachers and their parents. Bring it out! technology. The participants agreed that already primary schools can start We have to cooperate to achieve that. Cooperation to develop a positive attitude towards technology. And all accentuated the between companies, schools and local government need for systematic career orientation in secondary schools which must is essential. The cooperation between Hannover and enable practical experiences. ‘s-Hertogenbosch was a good example. There was a sharp focus and a lot of possibilities (even for now “Learning by doing” creates motivation. That was the result of the visits and in the near future) to learn from each other and to two best practices. First the participants observed “young professionals to share good practices. Thank you so much for the inspiration, the conversations and your hospitality!” in crafts”, a project of the chamber of crafts: Apprentices taught pupils in using some instruments in an apprentice workshop. This is a good exam- Edward Vinken, primary school director KC Sterrenbosch ple of how the eyes and ears of youngsters can be opened by people of the same age, who can communicate at their own level with information about vocational orientation. Then the partnership team learned how engaged pupils from secondary schools are working in a special project of cooperation in a vocational college. Travelling back home to Den Bosch, the Dutch participants concluded that they had an excellent exchange, good atmosphere and challenging ideas for the future. The Germans agreed.

Project meeting in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (May 2011) Meanwhile, the steering group had decided that it is necessary to visit the best practices in groups in order to get to know more projects. One group therefore visited some primary schools and the other participants saw best practices in a prevocational school and in vocational colleges. The primary education group learnt that one of the great misunderstand- ings is to believe that technology has nothing to do with creativity. It is essential that children really enjoy technical activities because they learn that “Conclusion of Texchange program: it can be a pleasure to experiment and to discover solutions for technical It’s clear that pupils/children have to come into problems. Pupils need space for experimenting and building. The many contact with technology from the beginning, already boxes with material and tools and the maps with instructions were very im before primary school. In this way they will have a pressive. It is easier to learn by practical doing than by reading or listening. better idea later on as to whether they want a voca- tion in this field (or not). Another benefit is that the children learn to cooperate because solving prob- Parents must also be involved so they can explain lems often needs team work. The German participants pointed out the dif- about the importance of technology. ferent system in the Netherlands, since primary school education includes There are 20 good practices from the Texchange all children up 12 years. program for primary, as well as secondary school; this will help.” The secondary education group was enthusiastic about the water factory, a company led by students of a vocational college. This again shows that Jacqueline Smit, Technasium Jeroen Bosch College the best way of learning is learning by doing and being responsible. This experience is also put into practice by the Technasium where the students in a technology class designed a car for a carnival club for the parade in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

8 Project meeting in Hannover (October 2011) Altogether, 13 participants from ’s-Hertogenbosch visited Hannover: five from primary schools, three from a secondary school and four from a vocational college. The program was a good mix between delivering information and visiting organisations to experience good practices, again in two groups. The primary education group was very impressed by the self-determined learning in a primary school focussing on technology. They found all doors of the rooms open and saw pupils working in groups or alone. The profile on technology is implemented in their school curriculum. Afterwards, the group visited a cooperating secondary school, where pupils in the project “Science for kids” are producing solar experiment sets for children in primary schools. “I was very impressed by the large variety of creative education offers in `s-Hertogenbosch made to inter- The interest in experimenting, testing and exploring can be awakened ear- est children and young people in technical processes lier in a playful way. That could be seen in a nursery school, certified as a from an early age, and to implement an understand- ing of technology. In doing so, the excellent coopera- “little scientist’s house”. tion with both regional companies and the city council All participants of the secondary education group were enthusiastic about played a pre-eminent role.” ‘JeT-Kompetenzzentrum’ of KGS Hemmingen: A very good example of Heinz Strassmann, BBS 6 cooperation with industry, the society of engineers and retired employees. Its implementation of technology in the school curriculum and its good teamwork are impressive.

Final conference in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (May 2012) The last meeting started with further information and other best practices. The local partner of TechXperience presented his “Reporter’s project”, an example for the cooperation between schools and companies, where children are reporting about a process of production in a company. Such reports are exhibetd in order to prepare visits in companies and in order to involve the parents. And the reporters feel proud of their work. In the real final conference in the School for the Future, the partners made a joint review. The focus here was also on practice: Four best practices were presented. They again showed that schools need cooperation in order to interest more children in technology. “Open and innovative: this is how I experienced the project and the dealings with our Dutch friends.” Dr. Carl-Michael Vogt, Handwerkskammer Hannover [Hannover Chamber of Handicrafts]

“I was particularly impressed by how the open and trusting communication with colleagues in the ‘s-Hertogenbosch school administration was also reflected in the teaching concept of the schools: group and project work, the changing lessons in large and small groups, in which focus is given to problems and project tasks being dealt with by the pupils independently. These are for me a good example of modern teaching.” Dr. Uwe Specht, Region Hannover Schools Department

9 How to create interest in technical vocations – best practices

The partnership team of both regions exchanged and discussed best practices in order to awaken children’s and students’ interest in technology and technical vocations.

On the next pages we want to inform you about good examples from both regions. Each best practice intro- duces itself.

First, you can find projects for children from ages 5 to 12. You may consider the different school systems in both countries. In the Netherlands the primary schools start at the age of 4 or 5 and include children until the age of 12. In Germany children only attend primary schools from the age of 6 to the age of 10.

Secondly, you can see best practices for the children at secondary schools, mostly projects in cooperation with companies and vocational colleges. These examples should not only awaken the interest of students, but also develop it with career orientation and career guidance.

10 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name TechXperience!

2 Kind of good practice Method/Approach

3 Status ongoing

4 Period, duration indefinite

5 Date of description 02.04.2012

6a Contact person Jan Jansen, JoukeDijkstra

6b Contact organisation TechXperience!

6c Address and telephone number Vlijmenseweg 2, 5233 GW, 's-Hertogenbosch, 073 6249957

7 Website www.techxperience.nl

8 Contracting authority

9 What kind of financing/funding? Subsidised by provincial and local government. Sponsored by regional companies and schools

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners Provincial and regional government, about 100 companies, all 45 schools for primary education, 18 schools for prevocational education, 4 schools for secondary education, 1 school for vocational education and two schools for higher vocational training in the region, in cooperation with 4 more technology promotion platforms in the province.

12 Location regional

13 Target group youngsters from primary to higher education, their teachers and parents

14 Description TechXperience! is the binding factor between schools and companies in the promotion of technical studies and careers. By creating or selecting projects for kids and students from primary to higher vocational education, we try to enlarge the enrolment in those studies by15%. Our total programme consists of more than 25 different projects for all target groups in a continuous learning line. Projects are developed by us or by others but all have the same structure: creating enthusiasm, help in job orientation and connecting students to schools and companies. TechXperience! works together with 4 other platforms in the Province of Brabant.

15 Products, if available www.techXperience!

16 Keywords 1. Early school leaving / dropout 4. 2. Job orientation / Career guidance 5. 3. Stakeholder cooperation 6.

11 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title Haus der kleinen Forscher[little scientist’s house]

2 Type of good practice Research and experiments on scientific and technical phenomenon with nursery and crèche children

3 Status On-going

4 Period, duration since summer 2009, currently open offer in weekly plan

5 Date of description 14.06.2012

6a Contact person Mr Jens Kroner, Mrs Claudia Pallokat

6b Contact organisation Nieschlagstraße Day Nursery

6c Address, telephone number Nieschlagstraße 19, 30449 Hannover, 0511 2103967

7 Website [email protected]

8 Contracting authority Landeshauptstadt Hannover, department youth and family

9 Type of financing Town funds, materials from the foundation “Haus der kleinen Forscher”

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners Stiftung Haus der kleinen Forscher, Rungestr. 18, 10179 Berlin Industrie- und Handelskammer Hannover [Chamber of Industry and Commerce]

12 Area local

13 Target group Children aged 3 to 10

14 Description The Nieschlagstraße Nursery has been a “Haus der kleinen Forscher” [little scientist’s house] since December 2010. About the foundation “Haus der kleinen Forscher”: The foundation Haus der kleinen Forscher supports making girls and boys of nursery and primary school age enthusiastic about scientific and technical phenomena. In addition, it provides further training to educational specialists in workshops and provides materials. The offers shall be made accessible to teachers in their region through the foundation’s local networks. The network administers in the workshops on location, distributes work materials and participates in quality management. More info at: www.haus-der-kleinen-forscher.de During the week, children (currently in the public offer) can experiment in the “learning workshop” of our company set up ourselves on the basis of prepared experiments on different topics (e.g. water, air, bubbles, magnetism...). The experiments shall be supervised by a nursery-teacher. Besides promoting interest in scientific and technical phenomena, we also promote speaking skills (exchanging observations), fine motor function (e.g. working with a pipette), social skills (e.g. keeping to rules) as well as patience and staying power (waiting for an experiment reaction, taking an experiment to its conclusion...) in the participating children. The research will be done in small groups (up to four children each, as a rule), other children showing an interest can watch and are in this way also included.

15 Products

16 Keywords 1. researching together 4. education 2. discover 5. 3. fun 6.

12 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Workshopday Technics and ArT

2 Kind of good practice Project

3 Status ongoing

4 Period, duration indefinite

5 Date of description 05.04.2012

6a Contact person Edward Vinken

6b Contact organisation Primary schoolSterrenbosch

6c Address and telephone number Hofstedenlaan 62-64, 5235 CJ, ‘s-Hertogenbosch Telephone number: +31738511105 E-mail: [email protected]

7 Website www.kcsterrenbosch.nl

8 Contracting authority –

9 What kind of financing/funding? School budget, subsidy of Art Foundation

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners TeXperience

12 Location Regional

13 Target group Pupils (boys and girls), primary school in the age of 4 to 12.

14 Description Each year we organize a ‘workshopday’ in which we use several technical tasks (and art). In the organisation of these workshops, we use the talents of teachers, parents and professionals. Children can choose a task and they show their results to parents and families in an exhibition. Elements: - Different workshops Technics & Art - Three workshops in one day - Children can choose - Children are in mixed groups - Space for doing experiments - The talent of the teacher (expert) - Children can discover and show their talents to their teachers, parents and family.

15 Products, if available Reports on Sterrenbosch website

16 Keywords 1. Job orientation / Career guidance 4. 2. Stakeholder cooperation 5. 3. Development of teaching methods 6.

13 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name “House of Learning” – Primary School focussing on Technologies

2 Kind of good practice Curriculum with technologies implementation

3 Status Ongoing

4 Period, duration Since 2008

5 Date of description 06.06.2012

6a Contact person Ulrike Nötel-Duwe

6b Contact organisation Henning-von-Tresckow-Grundschule

6c Address and telephone number Tresckowstraße 49, 30457 Hannover +49511-466068

7 Website www.henning-von-tresckow-grundschule.de

8 Contracting authority

9 What kind of financing/funding? School budget, one year training for all teachers sponsored by NiedersachsenMetall

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners IGS Mühlenberg (Schullab), companies (science-boxes), Stiftung NiedersachsenMetall

12 Location local

13 Target group Pupils from 6 to 10 years

14 Description In our House of Learning the pupils should be enabled to learn with all their senses, and not only in their own classroom, but in all other surrounding “rooms” as well. They should have the opportunity to become acquainted with self-determined learning, including detailed weekly and daily planning, partner and group work and support with individual assistance. All doors are open to everyone at anytime. Emotional awareness, transparency, motivation, atmosphere, positive attitude towards imperfection and errors, and confidence are important. On this basis, our profile on technologies is implemented in our school curriculum. That means education in workshops (at class-level) on special technical topics which change bi-annually, including experiments and research; project days (at school-level) every 6 months, working groups in the 3rd and 4th classes, computer education from 3rd class onward, project-adapted classrooms with computer, corners for building and experimenting, and construction kits for working on static principles. Technical education needs external cooperation: first for training the teachers, and then for practicing it. We are working together with a comprehensive school in order to use their school laboratory, with the Scholl Biology Centre, with the NaT Working “Natural science and Technologies at primary school” and with tech nically engaged parents.

15 Products

16 Keywords 1. Self-determined learning 4. Building and experimenting 2. Learning with all senses 5. External cooperation 3. Friendliness towards errors 6. Continuing developing process

14 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Wichelroede

2 Kind of good practice Method/Approach

3 Status implemented

4 Period, duration over 5 years

5 Date of description 02.04.2012

6a Contact person Jan van Gorp

6b Contact organisation Wichelroede

6c Address and telephone number vanHeeswijkstraat 1B Udenhout ++31 (0)13 5111692

7 Website www.dewichelroede.nl

8 Contracting authority

9 What kind of financing/funding? ministerial

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners

12 Location local

13 Target group primary school pupils

14 Description De Wichelroede is a primary school in the village Udenhout. They started years ago to bring Technics into their school program in the form of a physical Technic-corner. They developed a program around technical themes in a garden shed as a technical environment. In this way they discovered the force of such a concrete approach with Technics as a catalyst. Soon, other intersections were found leading to other disciplines (creativity, cooking, science etc.), but still visible in the school area as discovering places. In this way –with the pupils discovering focus – the school management discovered their concept: an approach of multiple intelligences: learning landscapes intended to bring the outside world into the school with the help of nearby companies. These companies, not surprisingly, are technology focused.

15 Products Educational Concept

16 Keywords 1. Job orientation/Career guidance 4. Stakeholder cooperation 2. School development 5. Integration 3. Development of teaching methods 6. Policy

15 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Reportersproject

2 Kind of good practice Project

3 Status ongoing

4 Period, duration indefinite

5 Date of description 13.03.2012

6a Contact person Guido Vercauteren, project leader

6b Contact organisation TechXperience!

6c Address and telephone number Vlijmenseweg 25223 GW, 's-Hertogenbosch. 073-6249957

7 Website www.techxperience!.nl

8 Contracting authority

9 What kind of financing/funding? government-funded and sponsored by companies

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners

12 Location regional

13 Target group Pupils from primary schools groups 6,7 or 8

14 Description In this project pupils of group 6,7 or 8 from primary school shall acquaint themselves with vocational tr aining and professions in related companies. The accent is on discovering, designing and realisation within the different technical branches like: metal, building and infrastructure, ICT, installation technology and process industries. The project will be enrolled as much as possible within the continuous learning line (students help students) in a school for pre-vocational, vocational or higher vocational training. Pupils design their own product, make them with the help of vocational training students and will visit companies where they produce those kinds of products to see the whole process. Afterwards they will report to classmates and parents by publishing on the TecXperience website, which will be available to other schools.

15 Products Reports on TechXperience website

16 Keywords 1. Job orientation / Career guidance 4. 2. Stakeholder cooperation 5. 3. Development of teaching methods 6.

16 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Miniphänomenta

2 Type of good practice Exhibition of technical experiments

3 Status Recurring

4 Period, duration Two weeks in school

5 Date of description 19.06.2012

6a Contact person Barbara Schneider [email protected]

6b Contact organisation Stiftung NiedersachsenMetall

6c Address, telephone number Lister Damm 2. 30163 Hannover 0511-96167-42

7 Website www.stiftung-niedersachsenmetall.de

8 Contracting authority Stiftung NiedersachsenMetall Schiffgraben 36 30175 Hannover

9 Type of financing Costs for further training and the exhibition carried by the Stiftung NiedersachsenMetall

10 European funding –

11 Partners Nordmetall, Universität Flensburg

12 Location Area of the association of NiedersachsenMetall

13 Target group Primary school years 1 -4

14 Description Miniphänomenta is an exhibition of 52 experiment stations for pupils of primary school age. The idea is that children and young people should create sensory experiences in order to become familiar with the environment. Being able to deal freely with the stations advances the climate of learning. The experiences stick in the minds of the children and encourage imitation. During the two-week exhibition in the school, the children may experiment freely. The parents should also be included: ideally they will build copies of their own experiments for the school. This project was conceived at the Universität Flensburg. In the run-up to the exhibition, a two-day further training event shall take place for the teaching staff, who are then responsible for the project in their primary schools.

15 Products

16 Keywords 1. mathematics 4. IT 2. physics 5. chemistry 3. biology 6. technology

17 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Kunstructeur

2 Kind of good practice Project

3 Status ongoing

4 Period, duration indefinite

5 Date of description 13.03.2012

6a Contact person Joke Backx, project leader

6b Contact organisation TechXperience! (orSM's)

6c Address and telephone number Vlijmenseweg 25223 GW, 's-Hertogenbosch. 073-6249957

7 Website www.techxperience.nl, www.kunstructeur.nl

8 Contracting authority

9 What kind of financing/funding? Government-funded and sponsored by companies

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners TechXperience! andStedelijke Museum 's-Hertogenbosch

12 Location regional

13 Target group Pupils from primary schools groups 1 to 8 and groups 1 and 2 from high school.

14 Description Technology is all around us. Most of the time pupils don’t realise or see that. With the kunstructeur project, TechXperience! wants to make technology combined with art accessible to both boys and girls in primary school and junior high school, as well as teachers in primary education. Art lends itself extremely well to get pupils working with technology. It leads to creativity and astonishment. Participating schools can rely on an inspiring project. Backing is provided for teachers through different kind of workshops to help them in the process. Experts from companies will also help in the classroom. This project is in cooperation with SM’s (Stedelijk Museum ‘s-Hertogenbosch) Every year the art of a particular artist is used as a source for inspiration. The project starts with a workshop with the artist(s) at the museum. Students will visit the exposition of the artist(s) and the artist(s) will also visit some classes to provide workshops for pupils from primary school. After that the pupils will start with their project and will receive help from experts in the classroom. An exhibition of the artworks is made at the school and a selection of the works will be exhibited at the museum. Last year 20 schools, 106 classes and 2500 pupils were involved.

15 Products Pupils from primary schools groups 1 to 8 and groups 1 and 2 from high school.

16 Keywords 1. Job orientation/Career guidance 4. 2. Stakeholder cooperation 5. 3. Development of teaching methods 6.

18 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name First Lego League

2 Kind of good practice Project

3 Status ongoing

4 Period, duration yearly returning project

5 Date of description 02.04.2012

6a Contact person Lennart de Graaf

6b Contact organisation TechXperience! StichtingTechniekPromotie

6c Address and telephone number Vlijmenseweg 2523 GW, 's-Hertogenbosch, 073 6249957

7 Website www.techxperience.nl www.firstlegoleague.nl

8 Contracting authority Stichtingtechniekpromotie

9 What kind of financing/funding? Provincial funding and regional funding by TechXperience!

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners StichtingTechniekPromotie, Techniek is Troef, Platform TechniekPromotie, AvansHogescholen, FontysHogescholen

12 Location international

13 Target group Pupils from primary school, groups 6, 7 and 8 and pupils from class 1 and 2 from secondary education

14 Description Children design, program and build a robot using Lego mind storms materials and robolabs-software. Besides the robot assignment, there is a challenge to provide a solution for a worldwide problem and to give a presen tation about that. In this project it is all about cooperation between the pupils, as well as the assignment of the robot project. First there will be a regional finale for all competitors, where they will be judged on: robot contest and technical presentation; teamwork; and research presentation. Then there will follow a Benelux finale, and ultimately a worldwide final.

15 Products Regional final

16 Keywords 1. Job orientation / Career guidance 4. 2. Stakeholder cooperation 5. 3. Development of teaching methods 6.

19 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title The pupil-run company “Science for kids”

2 Type of good practice Energy and climate project

3 Status Pupil-run company in a regional environment education centre

4 Duration since 2005

5 Date of description June 2012

6a Contact person Arno Mühlenhaupt, project leader

6b Contact organisation Schul-LAB at IGS Mühlenberg

6c Address, telephone number Mühlenberger Markt 1, 30457 Hannover, Deutschland; 0049 511 168 49508

7 Internet www.schul-lab.de

8 Contracting authority IGS Mühlenberg

9 Type of financing Sponsors

10 European funding Participating in various Comenius projects

11 Partners Landeshauptstadt Hannover, Region Hannover, Land Niedersachsen, VDI, proKlima – enercity fund

12 Area Region Hannover

13 Target group 5 – 12 years

14 Description For six years, pupils of the IGS Mühlenberg have produced solar experiments sets in their own company – for other schools: 1,300 solar sets for 80 schools in the Region Hannover in six years. “Science for Kids” is therefore Hannover’s most successful pupil-run company. In 2005, pupils had to develop a ninth year solar experiment set for pupils in fifth year. The project quickly developed a huge dynamic. In order to meet the demand, the pupil-run company “Science for Kids” was founded in the form of a profile course and work groups. Since then there are now 70 young designers from years five to ten. The company’s projects were made possible by the enercity fund, proKlima. From initially 8,000 Euro for 150 sets, over 120,000 Euro of funding was received in six years – for material, proportionate tool costs and specialist support. In the project the pupils worked practically with renewable energies, from which they collect valuable vocational experience in their company from an early age in the areas of marketing, storage, production, sales and accounting. Meanwhile two teachers and a laboratory supervisor supervise the project at the IGS, and it is not only the schools own pupils who sustainably benefit from this: 80 schools in the region work with the material without having to pay a cent. To receive funding, it is required that they participate in teacher training; besides that, one class of each school attends a project day. The latest project is directed at nursery and pre-school children, as well as those in first and second year. With the experiment set “mini-solar”, the five to eight year olds should have their first experiences with solar energy. In addition, the young designers of the company have not only thought up an age-specific solar set with other plugs, but also a small child’s playhouse fitted with solar modules. 30 of the “mini-solar” sets are already build and are on their way to nurseries and primary schools – again free of charge, thanks to the proKlima funding. With the project, the Schul-LAB of the IGS Mühlenberg makes a significant contribution to improving basic education in science and technology – and also to Hannover’s “Klimaallianz 2020”.

15 Products Mini-Solar, Solarkids and Solarkids plus – experiment materials

16 Keywords 1. energy and climate 4. pupil-run company 2. environment education centre 5. solar experiments 3. BNE 6. early childhood education

20 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Technasium

2 Kind of good practice Project

3 Status ongoing

4 Period, duration indefinite

5 Date of description 24.03.2012

6a Contact person Rob Verhoeven, technator

6b Contact organisation Jeroen Bosch College

6c Address and telephone number Rompertsebaan 63, 5231 GT ‘s-Hertogenbosch Telephone number: +31736412350 E-mail: [email protected]

7 Website www.technasium.nl

8 Contracting authority Foundation of Technasium

9 What kind of financing/funding? School budget

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners 13 Regions, in each region there are 5 schools with a technasium.

12 Location Regional, national

13 Target group Pupils (boys and girls), secondary school

14 Description The Technasium is a way for better and different beta-education in research & design (O&O) at secondary schools. The most important qualities are: - working independently - collecting information - having an overview of the process - perseverance, teamwork - making products - planning and organizing - inventiveness In the first 3 years (class 1, 2, 3) pupils get 4 projects a year (from companies and organizations), 4 lessons a week. Later on (class 4, [5]) they get 2 projects each year and the final year they get a project that lasts a whole year. Each project will be finished with a presentation and an evaluation if the situation allows. The pupils work in a special Research & Development room with a working area, brainstorm area, laboratory, scrapheap, studio and pit-stop. There is collective work between universities, companies and organizations. The connection to higher education is better in this way. The involvement of the pupils’ parents is good.

15 Products Reports on Technasium website

16 Keywords 1. Job orientation / Career guidance 4. Integration 2. Stakeholder cooperation 5. 3. Development of teaching methods 6.

21 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name JeT Kompetenzzentrum Fertigungstechnik

2 Kind of good practice Project

3 Status ongoing

4 Period, duration indefinite

5 Date of description 11.06.12

6a Contact person Angelika Schwarzer-Riemer

6b Contact organisation Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Schule Kooperative Gesamtschule Hemmingen

6c Address and telephone number Hohe Bünte 4, 30966 Hemmingen Tel.: +49(0)511 4103-200

7 Website www.kgshemmingen.de

8 Contracting authority

9 What kind of financing/funding? School budget

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (German Association of Engineers), 6 competence centres state-wide

12 Location Regional

13 Target group Pupils (boys and girls), secondary school

14 Description The Competence Centre for Production Engineering is meant to foster the interest of young people in technology and to improve their technological skills. The leading ideas that the competence centre is built upon are: - Raising the students’ interest in technology by experience. - Improving the skills of students in technology to better prepare for work and university. - Giving technologically gifted students a platform to work on state-of-the-art technology. - Opportunities to experience technology in every stage of school, - Close the gap between school and the real world One of the main objectives of the Competence Centre is to maintain a close long-term relationship with local companies in order to provide a learning environment for the students in which they can experience technology ”live”.

15 Products Reports on school’s website

16 Keywords 1. Job orientation / Career guidance 4. Practical approach to research 2. Cooperation with companies 5. 3. Work on projects 6.

22 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title Vocational orientation

2 Type of good practice Cooperation with general schools and companies

3 Status On-going

4 Period, duration During the school year

5 Date of description 06.06.2012

6a Contact person Heinz Straßmann

6b Contact organisation Berufsbildende Schule [school of vocational training] 6 of the Region Hannover – BBS 6 –

6c Address, telephone number Goetheplatz 7, 30169 Hannover 0511-16844953

7 Website www.bbs6-hannover.de

8 Contracting authority Region Hannover

9 Type of financing School budget Region Hannover, Land Niedersachsen

10 If European funded, name of the programme

11 Partners General schools in the Region Hannover (around 30 schools)

12 Area regional

13 Target group Pupils from special schools, secondary modern schools, secondary schools and comprehensive schools

14 Description BBS 6 is the regional competence centre for career preparation, basic vocational education and vehicle technology. Building on the cooperation between the various secondary schools and companies over many years, BBS 6 offers vocational orientation in diverse vocational fields in order to improve technical education in general schools and to support the vocational orientation of young people. The offers for vocational orientation aim to strengthen young people for the transition from the education system to employment. The pupils participate in both practical and also theoretical offers from the different technical vocational fields (wood, metals, vehicle, electronic and colour technology). It shall be made easier especially for the group of educationally disadvantaged young people to develop new vocational perspectives with specially tailored measures. In doing so, cooperation with companies in the region is an integral part of the concept.

15 Products Producing work pieces, basic commodities for personal necessities

16 Keywords 1. vocational orientation 4. 2. social work 5. 3. y oung people with immigration background 6.

23 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Technet

2 Kind of good practice Method/Approach

3 Status In use

4 Period, duration yearly

5 Date of description 02.04.2012

6a Contact person Jan Jansen

6b Contact organisation TechXperience! andTechniek Talent nu!

6c Address and telephone number Vlijmenseweg 2, 5233 GW, 's-Hertogenbosch, 073 6249957

7 Websites www.techxperience.nl www.technet.nu

8 Contracting authority Techniek Talent Nu!

9 What kind of financing/funding? Subsidised by Platform Betatechniek

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners Techniek Talent Nu, 5 schools for pre-vocational education and 40 technical businesses

12 Location national

13 Target group Schools for prevocational education

14 Description TechNet advances regional cooperation between prevocational education, vocational education and technical companies. In 5 TechNet circles (100 nationwide) schools and companies work together to create more attrac- tive education and better career orientation for youngsters. Ultimate goal: more students choose a career in the technical sector. Improved tuning between education and work will increase the number of students and reduce the potential drop-out of students. The cooperation contains: internships, guest lessons, company visits and internships for teachers.

15 Products see www.technet.nu

16 Keywords 1. Early school leaving / dropout 4. Stakeholder cooperation 2. Job orientation / Career guidance 5. 3. Development of teaching methods 6.

24 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name “Handwerk trifft Jugend [crafts meet youth]” and “Jungprofis im Handwerk [young professionals in crafts]”

2 Type of practical example projects

3 Status on-going

4 Period, duration since 2009

5 Date of description 11 June 2012

6a Contact person Mrs Kirsten Münch

6b Contact organisation Handwerkskammer [chamber of crafts] Hannover

6c Address, telephone number Berliner Allee 17, 30175 Hannover; 0511 - 5456229 - 52

7 Website http://www.hwk-hannover.de/23,0,2338.html

8 Contracting authority Handwerkskammer [chamber of crafts] Hannover

9 Type of financing Part-funded through ESF funding as well as funding from the BMBF

10 European funding Jobstarter

11 Partners Apprenticing companies in crafts

12 Area Regional: currently in the Region Hannover and in LK Nienburg

13 Target group Pupils as well as their parents

14 Description In order to be able to process information, the target group’s ears must be opened: therefore, at the beginning of the vocational orientation process, the first step is to interest pupils in crafts, its companies, careers and the people. With dedicated trainers from the crafts industry (mentors) and their apprentices, we offer schools the opportunity to experience crafts at first hand. Experienced craftsmen and women trained by us explain and inform about crafts jobs and career opportunities in a lively way. The school can choose from various offers: investigations into operations, observation lessons with theory and practice parts, participating in career information days at the school or in career survival courses, parent evenings, application training etc. In addition to the accounts from the “parents”, their apprentices are also present as “young professionals”: they tell the pupils at their own level about their own career, how they found their way to crafts and why they feel right there. This can take the form of an event in front of groups, e.g. a school class, but also in individual short talks: we organise e.g. “speed dating” between apprentices and pupils within the scope of which the pupils receive short and concise interesting insights into 5 different careers in 5 minute talks respectively, freshly adapted by young people with whom they could work together with tomorrow. On request from the schools, the chamber of crafts prepares the particular initiatives and organises the appropriate mentors or apprentices. This is important, however: only schools which prove that these offers are not simply an excessive desire for action on their part, but rather work from a concept of vocational orientation inside the school, the structure of which is prepared and the experiences shall be used sustainably, shall receive the offer. Both young people and their parents are excited. But it will not succeed until the pupils inquire about further information on the basis of these authentic experiences and now want to and can use it, using their horizon of experience as a basis. The career choice process is thereby sustainably supported.

15 Products

16 Keywords 1. Open ears, create the desire to … 4. school vocational orientation concept 2. authenticity 5. 3. apprentices dedicate themselves 6.

25 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title Schulverbund am Deister

2 Type of good practice Cooperation between vocational school and secondary schools

3 Status Model scheme in two-year phase, continuation as regular form for all school pupils in years 9 and 10

4 Period, duration Model phases 2 years (2009 – 2011), shall be continued as regular form

5 Date of description 25.06.2012

6a Contact person StD Günter Blötz

6b Contact organisation Berufsbildende Schulen Springe [Springe vocational schools]

6c Address, telephone number Paul-Schneider-Weg, 31832 Springe, Tel.: 05041-951-0

7 Website www.bbs-springe.de

8 Contracting authority BBS Springe in the funding body of the Region Hannover; Gerhart-Hauptmann-Schule Springe – Stadt Springe Lisa-Tetzner-Schule Barsinghausen – Stadt Barsinghausen OBS Gehrden – Stadt Gehrden

9 What kind of financing/funding?

10 If European funded, – name of the programme

11 Partners BBS Springe, Gerhart-Hauptmann-Schule Springe, Lisa-Tetzner-Schule Barsinghausen, OBS Gehrden (formerly Burgbergschule Gehrden)

12 Area Regional

13 Target group Secondary school pupils in years 9 and 10

14 Description Years 9 and 10 of the participating secondary schools shall be taught or trained in connection with the Springe vocational schools. In doing so, the pupils receive both a basic general education (§ 9 NSchG [schools act in Lower Saxony]) and specialised training which incorporates a broad basic vocational education and takes into consideration the requirements of vocational training and exercising one’s profession (§ 15 NSchG). The pupils are taught in part according to a changed curriculum overview which has been modified in favour of basic vocational education. When reducing hours or subjects in the currently applicable curriculum overview, general and vocational education shall be assumed to have the same value. The scope of the vocational qualification amounts to 14 hours a week over two school years. The secondary pupils thereby acquire a broad basic vocational education almost “on the side”, which corresponds to a qualification in a vocational school with full-time lessons. The vocational training school thereby offers the vocational fields which, from experience, are in strong demand from pupils. As a result, the number of vocational fields offered has increased along with the increasing number of participating pupils year on year. Wood technology, personal hygiene, grocery trade, metals technology and home economics/ care were started in 2009. Structural engineering arrived in 2010, and in 2012 colour technology was added. General and vocational education is guaranteed to dovetail through the curriculum worked out by the colleges involved. The concomitant double qualification sustainably increases the chance of getting a training position. Apprentices are in practical demand from workshops which also require a solid basic vocational education alongside the required social skills. Through the teaching and education network, as a rule, a targeted, practice-oriented basic education shall be given, rather than unstructured vocational orientation. On one side, the pupils’ motivation shall be increased in lessons, and thereby so will the quality of their school qualifications. On the other side, they will bring with them a qualification with their simultaneously acquired vocational knowledge and skills for a potential apprenticeship, which makes them interesting applicants for an apprenticeship.

15 Products

16 Keywords 1. Schulverbund am Deister 4. dovetail 2. double qualification 5. 3. modified curriculum overview 6.

26 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Vmbo-Kanjers

2 Kind of good practice Method/Approach

3 Status implemented

4 Period, duration Yearly activity, 6 weeks

5 Date of description 02.04.2012

6a Contact person TinusBunthof

6b Contact organisation Koning Willem I College

6c Address and telephone number Postbus 122, 5201 AC 's-Hertogenbosch

7 Website www.kw1c.nl

8 Contracting authority

9 What kind of financing/funding? School funding

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners Duhamel College, Baanderheren College, HooghuysLycuem, Overlaat en Willem van Oranje College

12 Location regional

13 Target group Students from pre-vocational training who have completed their exams

14 Description Every participating school for pre-vocational training that teaches motor technology selects 4 or 5 “top” students to participate in this programme. These students will enter a special programme in the period between their last exam and the start of the holidays. In this period of 6 weeks these students get a programme in which they follow an internship and will get lessons and exams. Students who complete this programme successfully will get a one-year cut of their education programme at the Koning Willem I College. In that way we try to bind good students to their technical study in a continuous line of learning.

15 Products Teaching programme

16 Keywords 1. Dropout prevention 4. 2. Job orientation / Career guidance 5. 3. St akeholder cooperation 6.

27 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Waterfabriek

2 Kind of good practice Method/Approach

3 Status ongoing

4 Period, duration Ongoing for 3 years

5 Date of description 02.04.2012

6a Contact person Geert Swinkels

6b Contact organisation Waterfabriek School for Marketing & Technics Koning Willem I College

6c Address and telephone number Onderwijsboulevard 3 ‘s-Hertogenbosch ++31 (0)73 6249400

7 Website www.kw1c.nl, see for example: www.kw1c.nl/opleiding/90012010

8 Contracting authority

9 What kind of financing/funding? ministerial

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners

12 Location regional

13 Target group youngsters interested in vocational education level 2 & 3

14 Description The ‘Waterfabriek’ is a real factory setting where students bottle (spring) water. Management, marketing and sales are also done by students. Therefore the official name of the education program is: School for Marketing &Technologies. To briefly explain: it is an ‘other way round’ educational concept. The students learn from their own practice. The driving factor is the process technique of the whole picture: without good machines and operators, there are no bottles. The students of the marketing (education)department have to communicate with the machinery operators of the technology (education)department, as in the real world, thus appreciating one another’s worlds. They have to deal with problems and to devise solutions, thereby asking for help (teachers available as a guide). They work together with enterprises and other school systems and levels. For example, the machinery is delivered by companies, but has to be installed and maintained by themselves. As regards quality aspects of the water, they work together with students from Higher Vocational Education. As mentioned before: technology is the successfully driving force in this concept.

15 Products Educational Concept

16 Keywords 1. Job orientation / Career guidance 4. Stakeholder cooperation 2. Development teaching methods 5. Integration 3. Development coaching methods 6. Policy

28 Framework for good practise Toolbox

1 Title, name Request-oriented project work

2 Kind of good practice Project work in school and regional companies

3 Status ongoing

4 Period, duration 6 months

5 Date of description 02.05.2012

6a Contact person Wolfgang-F. Heuer

6b Contact organisation bbs-me der Region Hannover – Technikerschule Hannover –

6c Address and telephone number Lavesallee 14, 30169 Hannover +49 511 26099-100

7 Website www.bbs-me.de

8 Contracting authority

9 What kind of financing/funding? School budget and sponsored by companies

10 If European funded name – the programme…

11 Partners Local and regional companies (about 60)

12 Location regional

13 Target group Students with a higher level of secondary education plus skilled worker’s diploma (3, 5 years) plus at least 1 year of job experience.

14 Description The request-oriented project work is part of the second year curriculum of the ”Technikerschule Hannover”. The ”Technikerschule Hannover” is an independent school department of the vocational college BBS-ME, which offers further technical education to skilled workers with work experience. The aim of the team project is to have students carry out a comprehensive multi-disciplinary task according to the requirements of a state certified engineer. This could be a task-oriented project of a regional company or an internal school project (both projects are considered to be of equal quality). To develop their professional competencies, the students work independently on problems, develop and evaluate alternative solutions and thereby find a final concept. They apply project management tools and team work methods to do this. The student teams are supported by a company and a school mentor. In the course of the project, the students demonstrate that they have acquired professional and methodical competencies, as well as learning and social skills. The projects are documented and presented to the public on the “Technikerforum”, an in-house fair, and in the respective companies.

15 Products Products depend on the agreed scope of the project. Possible outcomes include technical devices, construction and design data and software applications.

16 Keywords 1. Further education 4. Project management 2. Job related internships 5. Stakeholder cooperation 3. Development of teaching methods 6. Career guidance

29 Conclusions

We discussed the importance of clear policy to make progress in schools to confront and stimulate young children with the world of technology. That is not only a task for secondary schools, where a systematic career orientation must be implemented in the school curriculum. The start should be made in primary schools where pupils should experience practically that building and experimenting is fun. And in a playful way the smaller children can already experience it in nursery school.

We exchanged good practices both in Hannover and in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The participants of the partnership where impressed by a couple of good examples. They all show that “learning by doing” is essential, because this principle creates motivation.

The team from Region Hannover was enthusiastic about the approach which was developed in ‘s-Hertogen- bosch by creating TechXperience. This regional network clusters and coordinates regional activities in the area of technology, including cultural projects, to realise a joint approach and a connected program. TechXperience is a platform where the different stakeholders, like local government, schools and companies, meet each other, exchange information and start initiatives.

This best practice, but also the other examples presented, show that cooperation is necessary in order to interest more young people in technical vocations, cooperation between schools and companies, cooper ation between primary and secondary schools and between secondary schools and vocational colleges. The cooperation primarily enables the necessary practical experiences, materials for experimenting and building and moreover technical training for teachers in primary schools and nursery schools.

Promoting interest in technology needs technically qualified teachers. That is a problem especially in primary schools in both countries, but also in secondary schools. This creates insecurity in getting more technical students in future.

The team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch was impressed by the activities of the chamber of crafts. The role of the chamber of crafts is very active and they use fantastic promotion material to show the importance of technology in life.

In general, the feeling of this partnership was positive, very useful and inspirational. The cooperation between both regions is promising!

Imprint

Publishers Region Hannover, Fachbereich Schulen and Gemeente ’s-Hertogenbosch, Department Youth and Education

Edited by Sabine Nolte, Region Hannover, Theo van de Veerdonk, Gemeente ’s-Hertogenbosch

Pictures Wolfgang Heuer (11), Jacqueline Smit (6), Uwe Specht (1), Carl-Michael Vogt (1), Theo van de Veerdonk (7)

Lay out Region Hannover, Team Gestaltung

Printed by Region Hannover, Team Druck

The project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication only reflects the views of the authors. The Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

July 2012