SENsationalSTEM developed a cross-border entrepreneurship programme for students with special educational needs
SENsationalSTEM project aimed at increasing entrepreneurial thinking among young people by having a specific focus on SEN (special education needs) students. The project developed and piloted a cross-border entrepreneurship programme for SEN student in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The project provided a possibility for SEN students from Finland, Estonia and Latvia to create international student teams and establish student companies which can serve as basis for future co-operation and businesses.
Totally 84 students from 15 schools from Finland, Estonia and Latvia participated in entrepreneurship pilot programme. These students created 13 business ideas. Due to covid 19 cross-border team building and bootcamps for students took place only in the very end of the project, but students were still able to work and present their joint business ideas during the events.
Development of own business ideas was a valuable experience for the participating SEN students. Student companies provided opportunities for social, cross-border/international communication and improvement of vocational skills in a business simulation environment. Students learned about their business strengths and their skills gaps. Participation in the project also provided opportunities for the development of employability skills which complement the vocational skills the participants learned during the course programme.
- combining SEN students from Finland, Estonia and Latvia
- 13 business ideas created by 84 students