The economy and society of the 21st century are shaped by fundamental processes such as digital transformation, automation, and innovation. Understanding and actively shaping these processes requires the targeted development of STEM fields—namely mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, and information technology—as well as sustained encouragement of learning in these areas.
In line with this approach, a project implemented with European Union support by the Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Hungary made a targeted contribution to the development of students’ competencies in science-related subjects and to the foundation of their further education and career pathways.
| The applicant organisation, headquartered in Budapest, has been serving society for more than 800 years as part of the Franciscan Order, playing a significant role in education and training, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the support of people in need. |
More than 700 students from three institutions participated in the project: the Temesvári Pelbárt Franciscan Grammar School and Dormitory in Esztergom, the Autism Support Centre in Gyöngyös, and the Terplán Zénó Franciscan Grammar School, Technical School and Vocational Secondary School in Jászberény.
Professional activities were implemented both within and outside the formal curriculum. These included thematic and non-traditional lessons, career pathway presentations, open days, and career orientation events, with particular emphasis on the involvement of alumni working in STEM fields. Extracurricular activities comprised workplace and site visits, self-awareness training sessions, experiential STEM clubs and student groups, preparatory programmes supporting the transition to secondary education for students in grades 5–8, as well as holiday and summer professional camps.
As part of the project, skills development activities based on ICT tools and programming, innovative career guidance programmes implemented in boarding schools, and internal training courses aimed at strengthening teachers’ career guidance competencies were delivered. These activities were supported by the procurement and application of modern educational and interactive equipment.
Through the project, participating young people acquired key competencies that significantly improved their opportunities for further education and labour market integration. Building on the centuries-old values of the Franciscan Order, the programme simultaneously supported individual development and the broader benefit of the community.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project EFOP-3.2.5-17-2017-00052 under the Human Resource Development Operational Programme.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder:Details
