Currently, the number of job offers in STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is growing up, but by contrast, the number of graduates in these fields is decreasing, particularly women graduates. Consequently, if we do not promote the training of women in STEM careers, the gender gap, far from narrowing, will continue to widen. This paper presents the research carried out in the ALAS project (Accompanying girLs towArds STEM careers), which consists of an experimental analysis based on a multi-model study to discover the possible causes of this low participation of women in STEM fields. The models used are the (1) expectancy–value theory of motivation, (2) social role theory, and (3) gender stereotypes theory. Additionally, participatory workshops have been carried out, with the aim of capturing the students’ reactions when they are introduced to STEM practices. The surveyed target groups range from primary education groups up to university graduates and enterprise employees, including both students and teachers. The obtained results show that there are still social patterns that make young people differentiate certain types of activities based on gender, especially at secondary school age. Nevertheless, the findings reveal that beyond the three studied models, a key factor in young people’s decision to be enrolled in STEM careers is their educational environment.
Society currently faces two crucial challenges: digital transition and energy transition. Educative innovation plays a key role in this challenging scenario, particularly engineering careers, where laboratory practices are as important as theoretical classes. This paper presents a standardized training platform supported by five European universities which include a remote laboratory experience. Each university is responsible for developing a training module under the guidance provided by the responsible entity (University of Huelva, Spain). For this purpose, the University of Huelva has implemented a remote laboratory based on a supercapacitor power bank. The rest of the universities have selected any other renewable source and have replicated the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure. The result is a European network materialized on a homogenized platform where teachers and students can find all the teaching materials (theory and practice) to train and to be trained in renewable energy matters in the new digital era.
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