Why should children's universities strive to strengthen the children's self-efficacy?
Why should children's universities strive to strengthen the children's self-efficacy?

Summary/Abstract: The article originates in the experience of the Children’s University Foundation gained during the participation in the international project STEAM4U, implemented as part of the Erasmus+ program. The aim of the study is, on the one hand, to explainthe concept of self-efficacy in the field of education. On the other hand, it outlines the problems of gender and origin inequityin the world of science. The author of the article describes the project initiatives undertaken by the Foundation that enhancechildren’s self-efficacy and presents selected teaching strategies that can be applied to the activities of children’s universities orother educational institutions. The study presents selected data derived from the research on the children’s self-efficacy, carriedout as part of the project activities. The data allow for answering the question of whether the classes at the Children’s Universitystrengthen the children’s self-efficacy and for indicating what types of activities are greatly appreciated by children. The participants’ answers reveal that the most significant factors influencing the enhancement of self-confidence in the area of STEAM areactive involvement and the use of learning methods other than those exploited at school. The experience described in the textmay be an inspiration for other educational initiatives, encouraging them to enrich the teaching process with strategies orientedon developing the children’s self-efficacy.

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