More learning outcome for STEM

Also in the GO! Atheneum Zottegem changes in the next school year. The 1st degree then becomes a broad orientation degree with six elective modules. For the challenging students, there is a 'STEM' range, which stands for 'Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics'. The target? Further learning, more 'doing' and more openness. Director Isabelle Truyen is ready for launch.

Isabelle: "We want to stand for contemporary and dynamic education that focuses on the talents of the students and prepares them during their school career for successful entry into the labor market, whether after university or higher education. The first intention was to recapitulate our offer in the first year, to allow students to test different fields of study and to postpone the choice of study. For this we use the four additional hours in the classroom table of the first year. We divide them into two-hour modules, from which the students can make a choice. The following years we have also thoroughly adapted from that vision. We offer the Latin, Culture, Sport, Care, Science and Technology modules.
The combination of science and technology is the 'STEM' department. This STEM class becomes a challenging direction for bulb trees. The direction offers technological education at the level and an alternative to the direction of Latin for those students who do not want to seek their challenges in languages. "

Why vote?

Isabelle: "KAZ has a long tradition of high-quality science education. In order to preserve this in the future, we support the five basic principles of the Flemish government's STEM platform. We do this in a six-year process that allows students to taste math, science and technology. And this is not only from a theoretical point of view but also strongly linked to society.
Also in the second and third grade, the STEM story continues. We offer challenging scientific and technological education with concrete challenges for the students. Half of the STEM classes are given in English as preparation for further studies. (This principle is called CLIL: Content and Language Integrated Learning). We also work with companies and intellectual sponsors who engage once a year for STEM students, for example as a guest lecturer or as a business visit provider. "

Discover, develop and deepen talents

Isabelle: "From September 2015, of course, we will also apply our offer in the second year to join the new first year format. By working creatively with the decretional possibilities in the second year, we have been able to set up a structure that offers a continuation on every combination of the first year.
Also for the second and third grade we want to continue on the road. As of September 2014, we also offer a recurring third and fifth year. Follow the fourth and sixth year in September 2015.
In the second degree there is of course a certain choice of direction. By default, the directions of science, Latin, economics and humanities are offered. But within these four pillars we have expanded the offer with modules.
In the third grade, the offer is obviously more focused on a specific direction choice. However, as of September 1, a number of adjustments were introduced in the fifth year, such as:

• CLIL during the STEM hours;
• an optional hour German in scientific directions;
• Choice between Spanish and Italian in the language directions;
• 1 hour social economy and 1 hour digital doctor in human sciences;
• more research projects and independent work during seminar hours.

In short, the ideal school course of the 1st to 3rd grade looks like this: discover your talents, develop them and deepen them. "

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Do you have questions about the broad first grade or STEM and how to implement it in your school or school group? Contact your local guide's guidance counselor!