Transfer and communication of knowledge for environmentally aware young people to raise interest in STEM (EngageMINT): interest profiles and social interaction

In a changing environment, the path to a sustainable future requires a considerable amount of effort and expertise in natural science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Moreover, there is a need for research that looks at the impact of environmental topics on the motivation of young people to take up a professional career in STEM fields.

The aim of the joint research project is to develop and test a digital transfer method for communicating current knowledge and research results on environmental and climate topics as well as innovative environmental measurement technologies. The transfer method uses suitable tools to link up with young people’s emotionally motivated environmental interests, thereby harnessing intentions to engage with current environmental policy challenges and promoting interest in STEM subjects. EngageMINT is a joint project of the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) and the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN) in Kiel.

The sub-project develops and implements a self-assessment tool for transfer in order to provide young people with air-quality research content that matches their interest profiles. New workshop formats aim to support the development of interests and knowledge. An accompanying evaluation analyses attitudes and intentions towards a future activity in the STEM field and identifies optimisation potential for increasing interest in STEM subjects.