НАЦИОНАЛНА ПРОГРАМА „ИЗГРАЖДАНЕ НА УЧИЛИЩНА STEM СРЕДА, СЪСТОЯНИЕ, ПРЕДИЗВИКАТЕЛСТВА И ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ
NATIONAL PROGRAM "BUILDING A SCHOOL STEM ENVIRONMENT", CONDITION, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Summary/Abstract: In 2020, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria launched its national program "Building a school STEM environment" through which to stimulate the creation of new school centers - an integrated set of specially created and equipped learning spaces with a focus on learning and applying competencies in the field of natural sciences in the state and municipal schools in the country. Each school center will include a change in the following elements: physical environment (improvement of the interior architecture and furnishing of existing spaces), technologies, learning content, teaching methods and management of the educational process. The program is aimed at schools with innovative practices and those with the potential to develop innovations in science, digital technology, engineering thinking and mathematics (STEM). The objects of our study are the changes in the state, challenges, and prospects of Bulgarian schools after the launch of this program. The subject of our study are the schools that have filed an application under the national program "Building a school STEM environment" and the results of the completed evaluation of a project proposal. The schools participating in the projects are categorized and analyzed in the context of the Bulgarian educational system and conclusions are made about their activity and interest in the development of this type of school centers. The results of the evaluation of the submitted project proposal under national program "Building a school STEM environment" are analyzed. The projects which are approved for financial and organizational support by the Ministry of Education and Science are categorized in the context of the Bulgarian education system and also relevant conclusions are made. The article analyzes the institutional support implemented through the national program "Building a school STEM environment" in the context of the efforts of Bulgarian schools which already introduce new and innovative practices, as well as those with a potential for STEM innovations. The conclusions outline the prospects and challenges for the digital transformation of the educational process with a focus on the study and application of competencies.

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