Context

STEM fields in Europe, including Wallonia, are facing a talent shortage, particularly among young girls. This situation is exacerbated by increasing digitalization and the growing need for qualified professionals. To meet global challenges, it is essential to shape creative and critical citizens. The STEAM approach, which integrates Art with STEM disciplines, fosters creativity, innovation and interdisciplinarity. It also opens up opportunities in the cultural industries, the Internet of Things and many other fields. STEAM-focused awareness-raising, education and research are key to cultivating a creative spirit and preparing the next generation to meet future needs.

Genesis of STEAMULI

Created in January 2022, STEAMULI is a cooperative platform, human, physical and virtual, which federates initiatives and organizations active in the field of STEM learning through the STE(A)M approach for Sciences, Technologies, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

It enables networking, reinforces expertise and promotes STEM initiatives for the benefit of the territory.

The project is spearheaded by 8 partners who have chosen to pool their expertise, covering the fields of training, education and research, as well as guidance, promotion and awareness-raising: Form@Nam (which coordinates the project), University of Namur, the Haute École Namur-Liège-Luxembourg,  Haute École Albert Jacquard,  Technobel skills center, Forem,  Cité des métiers de Namur and Worldskills Belgium.

STEAMULI and its partners have set themselves the following objectives:

- promote STEM fields of study ;

- increase young people's motivation for STEM careers;

- develop STEAM approach skills;

- strengthen the perception of the societal role of STEM fields and professions;

- develop communication and dissemination of STEAMULI actions.

Since its launch, over twenty actions have already been carried out, involving around a hundred teachers/trainers and over 300 learners, young people, pupils, students and adults. And this is just the beginning

Call for projects "Promoting job-creating trades (project 13 PRW 2023)".

STEAMULI is one of the organizations included in the 13 2022-2023 Recovery Plan project initiated by Minister Christie Morreale, which aims to set up a coordinated plan to promote job-creating trades, sectors and skills, and to raise awareness of STEAM.

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, in Namur, the founding members of STEAMULI and their partners met to highlight the actions financed under the Recovery Plan.

PRW actions:

• University research to identify teachers' and parents' perceptions of STEM careers and their role in guiding young people;
• Training days for teachers, focused on discovering and exploring the tools;
• Classroom activities for young people;
• Internships for children;
• A training cycle for careers in the biopharmaceutical sector;
• A scientific experiment in electronics and aerospace for secondary school students;
• A robot competition for schoolchildren

Building on this success, the adventure continues! In 2023-2024, STEAMULI teams will continue to explore, create and share!