Engineers make the world move, literally and figuratively. They are creative thinkers, daredevils, designers and doers. The Faculty of Engineering at KU Leuven wants to play an important role in STEM education in the Flemish educational landscape and far beyond. Education is based on knowledge-driven research and focuses strongly on educational innovation. In addition to education and research, the Faculty of Engineering is also committed to its social role. She nourishes and objectifies the social debate on current themes with well-founded positions and knowledge. Within this broader social role, the faculty is committed to promoting STEM courses among secondary school students. This research project will be carried out within the iSTEM didactics research group of the Faculty of Engineering and LESEC, the Leuven Engineering & Science Education Center, which collaborates closely with other researchers in the S&T Group to provide study guidance and education for (future) engineers, scientists and architects (STEAM) to further develop and support based on scientific research.
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Project
InnovationLab supports teachers in the third grade of secondary education in making the link between the curricula of the STEM subjects and reality. The interest of students (and teachers) in STEM courses is stimulated through lending modules related to a socially relevant theme. Examples are: “Build an eye-controlled interface so that Sofie can control her wheelchair”, “Research the steps in a water purification process and build a water purification plant”, and “Research stress at school with your own ECG heart rate monitor”… The social relevance, the interdisciplinarity and Finding a concrete solution to a challenge is the common thread throughout the projects. The lending modules contain all the necessary material to allow students to discover, experiment and 'engineer', including manuals for students and teachers. We promote the following basic principles for quality, integrated STEM (iSTEM) lessons: (1) problem-centered learning, (2) integration of learning content from the various STEM subjects, (3) investigative and/or design learning, (4) cooperative learning , (5) based on insights from professional didactic research.
As part of KU Leuven's 600th anniversary, the Faculty of Engineering has expanded the existing lending modules with four new projects. From now on, schools can also compete for the prestigious STEM award. We have one doctoral position focused on research into the effects of the STEM award initiative on the perception of teachers and students on engineering and into optimizing the initiative based on the findings.
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We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, communicative and inquisitive researcher who is driven to conduct applied educational research on STEM education in Flanders.
Candidates have:
• distinguish themselves at least by obtaining their Master's degree in (industrial) (bio) Engineering, sciences, mathematics or architecture.
• affinity with and interest in STEM in secondary education. A teacher training diploma is a plus.
• very good knowledge of Dutch and English, both written and spoken
• knowledge of statistical analyses, or willingness to develop in this area
• good research skills, and the commitment to quickly familiarize yourself with the appropriate research methods and ICT applications
• networking and communication skills. After all, the research is carried out in collaboration with teachers, pupils, lecturers, students and engineers in the field.
• sense of initiative
• independent. You will end up in a team that is ready to provide advice, but the PhD is your long-term project.
As a doctoral student, you complete a doctoral training course at the Arenberg Doctoral School in which you are given the time and space to learn and develop research expertise, tailored to specific needs and interests. A limited teaching assignment is also part of the duties.
Offer
A full-time appointment with a competitive salary as a doctoral fellow. Financing is available for two years. Start date: November 15, 2024 or to be discussed by mutual agreement.
LESEC
Innovation Lab
STEM-Award
Interested?
Are you interested in the project and do you recognize yourself in some of these characteristics? Please provide us with your CV and motivation letter via the online application page, the electronic version (possibly still 'in revision') of a recent research project (e.g. master's thesis, scientific publication, etc.), your bachelor's and master's degree transcripts and the names of two references, no later than Friday, October 18, 2024.
If you are very interested in this vacancy, but you are afraid you do not meet the required competencies, please contact us.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Hanne Deprez, tel.: +32 16 32 86 26, mail: hanne.deprez@kuleuven.be.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.