Denmark

Jun
16
2021

Inspiration from Denmark on Synergies between Climate Actions and STEM education for environmental sustainability

By admin
Source / author: 
ASTRA
Country: 
Denmark
Abstract: 

This position paper summarises the input of ASTRA (Danish national STEM platform) for the European Commission's upcoming 'Council Recommendatoin on Education for Environmental Sustainability'. It outlines the main characteristics of the Danish context, country specific challenges and opportunites illustrated with examples of successful interventions. The paper will also serve as input for the EU STEM Coalition's position paper on the same topic.

 

The full paper can be accessed via the link above.

Midtjylland Region (Denmark)

Central Denmark Region is one of five regions in Denmark. The region is led by a Regional Council, consisting of 41 politicians elected every four years. The regions' responsibilities are within the areas of health, psychiatry, social og regional development. The region must secure the overall strategy and at the same time top quality services; be it in the personal educational contact at institutions or when a patient needs nerve fibre surgery.

 

In the field of STEM, Central Denmark Region (CDR) operates through The Central Denmark Region Technology Pact* and its triple helix partnership consisting of the educational system as well as both private and public actors. It was launched with three of the leading international STEM-companies in Denmark: Vestas, Grundfos and Siemens Gamesa Renewable. In the coming years, the pact will have an increased focus on international collaborations, where CDR will actively seek new partnerships and best practices. The overall goals of the pact are:

 

  • To inspire young people as well as adults to choose a STEM education, learn about STEAM and work in the field of STEM
  • To make the Central Denmark Region a frontrunner in the field of technology and STEM
  • To inspire public and private organizations who wants to take part in promoting the STEM agenda

 

 

* More information about the Danish National Technology Pact, the Regional Technology Pact of the Midtjylland region and related strategies can be found on the publications page. 

 

Government
National / associate partner
Denmark
Click here

Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship - Danish Technology Pact

The Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship is the national knowledge centre and focal point for the development of entrepreneurship teaching at all educational levels. The Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship works to ensure that the ability to be innovative is a fundamental element in all educations from primary school to PhD. 

 

The Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship is also tasked by the Danish government with the coordination of the Danish Technology Pact (Danish STEM strategy). The Danish Technology Pact is national initiative made to boost the development of STEM-competences among Danes. The Pact is founded by the Danish government. Its mission is for Danes of all ages obtain the appropriate competences for a technical and digital future, in fields where Danish competitiveness and solutions to societal challenges will rely on new technology and digital innovation. In a partnership with actors from trade and industry, educational institutions and public sector operators the Technology Pact provides a shared direction for national and local initiatives to improve STEM-competences among both students and professionals.

 

The Technology Pact creates a national platform for evaluation, knowledge-sharing, development, expansion and setting up initiatives that improve education in STEM-subjects and promote interest and applicacy of STEM-competences. The platform specialises in identifying, supporting and promoting educational and competence-building initiatives succesfuld in helping danes ot obtain STEM-competences. 

 

The Technology Pact is comissioned to run from 2018-2028 and is anchored in the four ministries of 1) Industry, Business & Financial affairs, 2) Children & Education 3) Higher Education and Science, 4) Employment. An advisory board consisting of selected members from relevant organisations decides on the strategic focus of the Technology pact. The Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship is appointed secretariatet for the Technology Pact. 6-8 people are employed at the foundation  to carry out daily operations for the pact. The Technology Pact is a part of ‘Strategy for Denmark’s Digital Growth’, which the Danish government  agreed on in February 2018. The strategy consists of 38 ambitious initiatives with the aim of making Denmark a digital front runner. 

 

More detailed English-language overviews of the Danish Technology Pact and related strategies can be found on the 'Publications' page.

Non-governmental organisation (NGO)
National / associate partner
Denmark
Click here
Mar
23
2021

Computational Thinking and Practice — A Generic Approach to Computing in Danish High Schools

By admin
Source / author: 
Aarhus University
Country: 
Denmark
Abstract: 

This 2013 paper describes the general Informatics-subject developed for Danish high schools. The curriculum covered was developed in 2009-2010, tested in 2011-2016 and made permanent by a high school reform in 2016 (implemented from 2017 onwards).

Mar
23
2021

'Technology Understanding' (pilot of new Informatics subject in primary / lower secondary education)

By admin
Short summary: 

'Technology Understanding' (Teknologiforstaelse) a.k.a. Informatics is a three-year pilot programme of the Danish ministry of Children and Education focused on introducing a 'Technology Understanding' as a new subject in primary and lower secondary education (age 6-16, ISCED level 1 and 2). The new Informatics subject is divided into four interconnected 'areas of competence' (see below). The three-year (2018-2021) pilot will test the introduction of the new subject in two different configurations (as a stand-alone subject and integrated into existing subjects) in around 5% of Danish schools, after which the results of the pilot will be evaluated.

Description and objectives: 

‘Technology Understanding’ (Teknologiforstaelse) a.k.a. Informatics is a three-year pilot programme focused on introducing Informatics as a new subject in primary and lower secondary education (age: 6-16). The goal of this new subject is to develop the critical ability of students to (responsibly) use and shape technology, rather than just consuming it. In the pilot-phase the subject is tested both as an independent subject and as a ‘professionalism’ (integrated in multiple existing subjects including social studies, language and visual arts).

 

The pilot programme and its implementation is coordinated by the Danish ministry for Children and Education. The content of the subject has been prepared by an advisory expert group of around 20 scholars from universities, University Colleges, and ministry learning consultants as well as school teachers. 

 

The ojectives of the subject itself are to develop the students ability to (responsibly) use and shape technology. To achieve this the work done by students in the context of the subject focuses on four interrelated areas of competence:

 

  • Digital empowerment: the ability to critically examine how technology is imbued with values and intentions, and how it shapes our lives as individuals, groups and as a society.
  • Digital design and design processes: the ability to incrementally design digital artefacts with respect to the context of future use
  • Computational thinking: the ability to analyse, model and structure data and data processes
  • Technological competences: knowledge about principled function of computer systems, networks, security, privacy and programming skills

A short video explaining each of the competence areas and related activities can be found via the link above.

 

The objective of the three year pilot-phase is to test the new Informatics subject in two configurations (as a stand-alone subject and through integration in other subjects).

Country: 
Denmark
Education level: 
Primary Education
Lower secondary education
Link to programme website: 
Click here
Logo or photo: 
Organisation: 
Ministry of Children and Education
Focus: 
Digital skills
Teachers
Impact: 

The results of the pilot programme (each of the two configurations) will be evaluated after school year 2020-2021. If deemed successful, a political decision will be made regarding the system-wide introduction of the new subject in primary and lower secondary education.

Reach: 

46 primary and lower secondary schools (around 5% of total) participated in the pilot programme, evenly distributed in the two test groups (stand alone subject and integrated in other subjects). The total duration of the pilot was two and a half years. The Danish ministry of Children and Education has offered an extension of of the experimental approval until the school year 2022/23 to the 22 schools that participated in the test-group that introduced Technology Understanding (a.k.a. Informatics) as an independent subject. The goal of this extension is to safeguard and further develop the professional capacity and competencies developed in the pilot. The other test group (subject integrated in other topics) are also allowed to continue, as this approach is not dependent on ministry approval.
 

Budget and funding model: 

The pilot programme is funded and implemented by the Danish ministry for Children and Education

Title (dropdown menu): 
Technology Understanding
Year start: 
2018
Status: 
Ongoing
data_page_highlighted_yes_no: 
yes
data_page_summary: 

'Technology Understanding' (Teknologiforstaelse) is a three-year pilot programme of the Danish ministry of Children and Education focused on introducing a 'Technology Understanding' as a new subject in primary and lower secondary education (age 6-16). Divided into four interconnected 'areas of competence', the new subject covers everything from responsible use of digital media to programming skills. 

data_page_impact: 

The three-year (2018-2021) pilot will test the introduction of Technology Understanding in two different configurations (stand-alone subject and integrated into existing subjects) in around 5% of Danish schools, after which the results of the pilot will be evaluated.

data_page_icon_programme: 
Jul
27
2020

Possible Danish Technology Pact under consideration by Danish Government

By admin
Source / author: 
EU STEM Coalition
Country: 
Denmark
Abstract: 

As presented during the General Assembly meeting of September 29, 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen reacted positively to a possible Danish Technology Pact. Further process will be led by the Danish Minister of Business and Growth Troels Lund Poulsen. For more details, please see the full presentation in the General Assembly meeting documents via the link above.

Jul
27
2020

Pact to attract 10,000 more STEM candidates by 2025

By admin
Source / author: 
University World News
Country: 
Denmark
Abstract: 

The Danish government has launched a Technology Pact with more than 80 partners from higher education and research institutions, business organisations, non-profit organisations and private foundations. The goal of the Pact, signed on 24 April in the presence of ministers, is to encourage more young people to select science and technological studies at universities, the so-called STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The pact was signed by 80 participating institutions and aims to attract 250 participating members and increase the number of candidates selecting STEM subjects by 20%, or 10,000 candidates by 2025.
 

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