“STEMLab, a step into the future”, the new digital training programme promoted by Leonardo, focuses on the innovative technologies of Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Additive Manufacturing - 3D Printing. STEMLab provides secondary school teachers throughout Italy with teaching materials to enrich their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and lessons, stimulating students to learn more about science and innovation.
The project is one of the “Leonardo promotes STEM” initiatives for disseminating scientific citizenship, at the heart of Leonardo’s Sustainability Plan, which aim to promote STEM disciplines and guide the younger generations towards the relevant professional paths.
In Italy, 24.6% of degrees are in STEM subjects, a figure similar to the average of the 22 European Union countries (25.4%) but lower than in France (26.8%), Spain (27.5%) and Germany (32.2%) (Source: ISTAT Report on Education Levels and Employment Returns 2020). Also in our country, the RiGeneration STEM study by Fondazione Deloitte shows that one company in four (23%) is unable to find the STEM profiles it needs due to the mismatch between demand and supply of skills. Also, 63% of men in Italy enrol in STEM faculties compared to 37% of women (Source: Talents Venture).
STEMLab aims to raise students’ awareness of the importance and centrality of STEM disciplines and related pathways, which now play a fundamental role in everyday experiences. They also offer career prospects and opportunities in the increasingly globalised, digital and technological world in which young people will have to operate. STEM profiles are increasingly in demand in the professional world and are essential in high-tech companies such as Leonardo, where 62% of employees have this type of qualification.
Video lessons created by Leonardo’s experts and accompanying teaching guides provide teachers with interactive content to broaden their knowledge and understanding of innovative technologies and their applications.
They can use the Educazione Digitale teaching platform to access free video lessons on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Additive Manufacturing - 3D Printing. Each video lesson consists of three modules: a “technological” introduction, an overview of the relationship between these technologies and STEM disciplines, and a section on Leonardo’s experience of their application. In short, it is a real journey into the technologies of the future.
Leveraging its know-how, Leonardo intends to promote the wide-ranging dissemination of scientific culture, with a view to a full and dynamic synergy between school and company that favours and accelerates the innovation process. It is a strategy that fits into the vision of Leonardo, which is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda, and in particular the 4th SDG dedicated to the spread of quality education, and the 9th SDG aiming to promote technological capabilities in industry, encouraging innovation and attracting people and resources to Research and Development.