SEEP : Networking and Social Engagement for Careers in Science

Short course organised by the SEEP network

SEEP : Networking and Social Engagement for Careers in Science

Oporto, Portugal

November 2015

 Rome, Italy

June 2016

 Valletta, Malta

September 2016

For registration and questions about funding for staff mobilities send an email to : validainfo@gmail.com

Information about obtaining funding from your country’s National Agency under the ERASMUS+ Action 1 programme.

This course is based on the experience that VisMedNet has garnered in the areas of networks generation and maintenance, structured and strategy based community generation as well as its foundation of two Communities of Practice oriented towards bringing students, teachers, schools and science professionals closer. It is intended for mainstream and VET schools and education management professionals, career guidance officers and possibly entrepreneurs with a mindset that is open to the benefits of networking with a view to tapping talent and innovative minds. It is also part of the exploitation strategy of the SEEP Network focused on new and alternative applications and careers in science as well as on the VISConti project working on the generation of a Community of Practice bringing VET schools in close proximity to industry.

Preparation before the course

Participants will first be invited to join the SEEP network. They will be invited to share some reflections on an online forum before the course and participate in social network dissemination prior to the course so that :
– they get to know each other and about each other’s contexts,
– they answer some questions and participate in an online discussion on topics like popularisation of science, science careers and other topics that were discussed by the SEEP Network during its lifetime.
Participants will also take stock of potential stakeholders that they could identify as players in their future structured networking within their community.

Objectives of the course

The course will impart cognitive knowledge in :
– the structure and dynamics of networks and the tools that may help maintain turnover of participants and interest,
– the character of a Community of Practice and the aspects of self profiling and sharing within it,
– the generation of plans that bring together networking, science events in schools and several forms of collaboration with science professionals in industry and
– giving to the school an active role as a positive player in the lives of the students in their bridge from VET into the labour market.

It will impart practical skills in :

– the building of strategies and generation of tools for network start up and maintenance,
– the generation of strategies for networking and the generation of professional friendships through digital online profiles and interaction,
– the potential and benefit of making networking and the workings of a Community of Practice within the school and the business community around it and
– marketing and dissemination techniques oriented towards the generation of a critical mass of members that are at the foundation of any network set up to achieve results.

It is also aimed at donning the participants with the right level of confidence and knowledge of strategies and tools that take into account the necessity to maintain proximity to school curricula in science education in order that the effort may be feasible, effective and successful in making a change in the future of students in science careers.

Methodology

The course will build on the SEEP and on the VISConti experience. SEEP is a network and VISConti being set up to generate a Community of Practice in VET and industry bringing science students, teachers and science professionals together to tap and experiment with innovative science ideas. This background of the course will be reflected in the methodology that will be implemented during the course.

The days of the course will be divided into plenary insight sessions and reflection that will allow break out groups to identify local stakeholders and the best ways to start up the networking effort. It will in itself be the foundation of the network for the school and the participants will also have the opportunity to become members of the Community of Practice of VISConti project to see the dynamic and the type of self profiling that is required to make one an active and effective player therein.

The participants will by the end of the course have the basics to start a network around their schools with a view to facilitate and ease the mobility of students from school into the labour market.

Follow up to the course

The course will have a follow up that will take place through the fostering of the stay of the participants in the VISConti Community of Practice and in the SEEP network. Their presence and participation therein will provide the tools and the right forum for maintaining contact and for the exploration of the maturing of the community of participants into future partnerships in science and VET education.

Programme of Activities

Day 1

Networks : local and digital

The structure of networks : dynamics, knowledge flow Local networks : school – community relations Stock take : players around us

Day 2

Networking strategies : players and profiles

Profiles : social media tools Conscious decisions : strategy base regarding positioning in networks Mobility in networks and mobilisation of networks InternPrize concept : networking with labour market

Day 3

Community of Practice

Mutual engagement, joint enterprise, shared repertoire Levels of engagement and dynamic VISConti example of practice of Community of Practice

Day 4

Choosing ways forward : local community building

Charity begins at home : networking within the school RICM (readiness for intercultural model) transfer to CoP RICM inventory

Day 5

Mobility players : from school to labour market

Internationalisation of education : scenario building games Learning patterns : strategies for best use of resources of the mind

Information about obtaining funding from your country’s National Agency under the ERASMUS+ Action 1 programme.

For registration and questions about funding for staff mobilities send an email to : validainfo@gmail.com