Unity for the Future. The Path to the Integrity of the Educational Ecosystem: Shared Values and a Unified Development Strategy
On June 13, representatives of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University took part in a large-scale event of the all-Ukrainian wave of regional (non-)conferences aimed at developing the professional community of educators and implementing modern educational approaches.
Super EdCamp «The Path of Integrity» of the Department of Education and Science of the Zaporizhzhia City Council is a professional educational event that brings together teachers, heads of educational institutions, scientists and educational experts to exchange experience, develop professional competencies and form a holistic educational ecosystem based on shared values, partnership and innovation. The event is aimed at finding effective solutions to ensure quality education, support educational changes and develop human potential in the face of modern challenges.
During the expert parallel at the «Spilnodiyyna» location, the director of the Children’s and Youth Scientific University, associate professor of the Department of Electric Drive and Automation of Industrial Installations Olena Nazarova, and associate professor of the same department Volodymyr Osadchy spoke. They presented the topic «Mechatronics as a bridge between education, science and future profession: experience in forming a holistic STEM ecosystem in extracurricular education.»
The speakers presented a model for the development of STEM education, which is implemented in the context of extracurricular education and is based on the integration of learning, research, project activities, competitive movement and partnership with higher education institutions. Special attention was paid to mechatronics as a modern interdisciplinary direction that combines mechanics, electronics, programming and automation. It is mechatronics that creates a natural environment for the development of engineering thinking, creativity, teamwork skills and solving real practical problems.
An important component of the speech was a practical demonstration of the educational trajectory of the development of a future engineer. On the example of educational equipment Micro:bit, Arduino, LEGO Education, Festo MecLab, Fischertechnik and Siemens, the speakers clearly showed how the continuous path of an educationist is built from the first steps in programming and technical creativity to a conscious professional choice. Such a sequence — from computer science lessons and classes in groups to participation in engineering projects, robotics and mechatronics competitions, WorldSkills Ukraine competitions, training in professional, professional pre-higher and higher education institutions — creates the conditions for the formation of a modern specialist. This approach allows both to develop technical competences and helps young people consciously choose a professional path that meets the needs of the high-tech economy and the labor market of the future.
Iryna Voronyuk, Associate Professor of the Department of Ukrainian Studies and General Training, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, conducted sessions on two expert parallels. The guests of its locations were representatives of pre-school, after-school, general secondary and higher education, in particular, management education. They talked about the language skills of the teacher, about the word as a resource for effective cooperation outside of school. About the role and responsibility of preschool in the formation of linguistic personality.
We sincerely thank the organizers of the event for the invitation, the high level of the event, the open atmosphere of partnership and the opportunity to join the joint creation of the education of the future!
