2nd International Partner Workshop Finspång (Sweden), 31st May – 2nd June 2023
The 2nd International Partner Workshop was organised in Finspång (Sweden) from 31st May – 2nd June 2023. The meeting was important as we are starting new activities for introducing practical research in VET curricula.
During the meeting, we first familiarized ourselves with examples of good practices presented by Andreas Bjerre Lunkeit from the Danish Technological Institute. In the interim report, we learned about the following:
• Copenhagen School of Design and Technology (KEA), Denmark
• Design Factory at the Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
• Holmesglen Centre for Applied Research, Australia
• Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Canada
• Waag Futurelab for Technology and Society, Netherlands
Representatives from MVI conducted a workshop where we discussed the challenges encountered in creating a makerspace and also explored possible solutions.
In the project, based on the before mentioned research and findings, we will develop a business model for a next-generation community makerspace and create a model of a modern teacher/mentor who will be an example, motivator, and capable of spreading the culture of innovation in VET. In order for all stakeholders to understand the makerspace business model and develop their full potential within it, we will provide modular training for different target groups: students, teachers, and management personnel. In this meeting, we started developing deliverables in workshops involving multiple target groups. In one workshop, we defined personas, in another, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of different makerspace organizational models (digital/hybrid/physical), and in a group challenge, organised by CNG team, we explored the role of a teacher/mentor in the new organizational form.
During the meeting, we had an opportunity to have a guided tour through CNG. The headmaster and his team presented us with their Innov8 model, which allows to implement innovative way of learning into the curriculum. Two students from CNG presented their projects developed based on the Innov8 principles.
We also visited Siemens Energy AB, one of the owners of CNG, where they manufacture steam turbines:
A particularly interesting visit was to the Norrköpings Visualiseringscenter (https://visualiseringscenter.se/en). The purpose of the centre is to bring science closer to the general public. While we have access to a large amount of data today, the challenge lies in analyzing and extracting useful information from this vast amount. At the Visualiseringscenter (VC), data is visualized and presented in an easily understandable way. The visit to VC is free for everybody (except for the dome presentation). It is well-visited and suitable for all generations.
The centre is the result of collaboration between the Municipality of Norrköping, Linköping University, Science Park Norrköping, and RISE C-Studio.
The visit left a truly impressive impression. At the end of the presentation, the centre’s director, Lisa Lindgren, shared some thoughts with us.
