ECB

inGenious has launched the inGenious Code comprising principles, guidelines, checklists and templates, to help schools and industry work together in a safe, smooth and secure way. The inGenious Code offers best practice and practical advice in order to increase and further school-industry collaborations across the European Union.

Pupil visits to industry locations and interventions by business volunteers at schools are practiced across the European Union to support pedagogical as well as pupil career education goals. Until now, however, there have been few documents publicly available that provide guidelines specifically for such collaborations. The inGenious Code aims to address concerns that face anyone involved in such projects. These include ethical and legal concerns and practical issues around health and safety, mutual respect, branding, data protection and privacy, conduct and background checks.

While the inGenious Code is relevant to any school or external organisation planning a visit, it was developed specifically for visits related to studies and careers. The drop off across the EU1 in the number of pupils studying STEM subjects at tertiary level is widely attributed to poor understanding of the breadth and nature of STEM careers and to the stereotyping of STEM jobs.

The inGenious Code takes away the hassle of organising an industry visit. “It makes the whole process easier, giving parties a common platform for planning and ensuring that topics such as company brand positioning, confidentiality and pupil safety are considered up front," said teacher Carlos Cunha from Portugal. 

"Specifically in STEM education, it is particularly crucial to help students get a “real life” perspective of how STEM is applied in research, industry and business.The inGenious code of conduct is the first European level attempt to guide both schools and businesses in setting up such collaboration," said Marc Durando, Executive Director, European Schoolnet.

“European industries whose core business depends on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths are recruiting from a shrinking pool today. Yet, great jobs are available for students with the right skills. We call upon industry and educators to accelerate their collaborations and help address this mismatch,” said Brian Ager, Secretary General, European Round Table of industrialists (ERT).

The sharing and piloting of industry education activities in European schools is one of a number of inGenious focus areas that include the promotion of school-industry visits, role model exchanges, teachers’ events and competitions for schools. More information are available on www.ingenious-science.eu.