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The trainings provided within our project
The concept of entrepreneurship, which has profound effects on today's business world and economy, has become increasingly important. Entrepreneurship not only involves generating new business ideas but also developing various skills such as innovation, risk-taking, and adaptability to change. In a presentation titled "Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship" conducted by expert academics from our university, participants were not only equipped with these valuable skills but were also made aware of the significance of entrepreneurship in the business world and personal development. This training, focusing on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, aimed primarily to impart innovative thinking and problem-solving skills to participants. Entrepreneurship requires the ability to find creative solutions to existing problems, and this training has emphasized how such skills can be developed. Recognizing new opportunities and evaluating them is also a key focus of entrepreneurship. To succeed in the business world, knowing how to assess gaps and demands in the market and offer innovative solutions in these areas provides a significant advantage. Throughout the training, presentations on risk management and decision-making, understanding potential risks and developing strategies against them, making informed decisions based on accurate information, effective networking, and establishing business relationships were conducted. Workshops were organized to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical training. On the second day of the training, expert academics continued the presentation on the "Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship" and engaged participants in discussions based on the outputs expected from the first day. Participants were encouraged to think about what product they would develop and how they would market it if they were entrepreneurs. They were divided into groups to facilitate collaborative learning, and practical examples were presented during this session. The KOSGEB website, where participants can obtain certification upon completing their entrepreneurship education, was introduced. The session concluded with the participants' questions being answered, thus completing the course content.
STEAM and Engineering
In our project, expert academics have delivered a presentation focusing on engineering skills within STEAM. The presentation highlighted the importance of engineering skills in STEAM, emphasizing their role in managing problem-solving processes, designing, and developing innovative solutions. Engineering skills, which typically involve transforming scientific knowledge into practical solutions and play a fundamental role in entrepreneurship across various fields, focus on the ability to solve complex problems. This skill involves a systematic approach to real-world problems using scientific and mathematical knowledge. Engineering encompasses stages such as problem definition, design, prototyping, testing, and improvement, requiring decision-making based on technical knowledge, capability in risk management, and capacity for creative thinking. These skills form the cornerstone of technological innovations and product development.
Our academics provided a detailed definition of engineering in the project, integrating engineering with STEAM and entrepreneurial skills. They emphasized to participants that engineering skills are fundamental to entrepreneurship, enabling innovative ideas to be transformed into practical applications and helping entrepreneurs establish the technical infrastructure necessary for sustainable growth and success. The second session of the training included ample theoretical education and examples related to entrepreneurship and engineering. Participants were also given the opportunity to ask questions, thus completing the training from the first day.
Project-based learning is an effective learning method that enables students to deeply understand scientific methods, engineering design, artistic creativity, and mathematical problems by experiencing them in real-world contexts. This approach allows students to develop skills in translating abstract concepts into practical applications. It encourages the development of creative and innovative solutions to real-world problems encountered in projects. Our academics highlighted the importance of project-based learning in STEAM disciplines, emphasizing its role in enhancing students' collaboration and teamwork skills, integrating knowledge from different disciplines to solve complex problems.
During the presentation, it was emphasized that project-based learning enhances learning by increasing the meaning and context, thus motivating and engaging students. It was underscored that project-based learning supports students in achieving deep learning in STEAM disciplines and acquiring practical skills necessary for future academic and professional success. The functionality of project-based learning was emphasized to support students in gaining practical skills and fostering motivation to transform their projects into meaningful outcomes in real life.
In the second part of the training, practical workshops continued with presentations focusing on project-based learning, highlighting the importance given to it in foreign countries. Examples of project-based learning practices applied in schools and classrooms in various countries were presented and analyzed. Sample lesson plans for project-based learning were introduced, emphasizing the need for participants to create their own lesson plans for implementation in their classrooms as part of the project. Project-based learning provides students with opportunities for deep understanding and acquiring applied knowledge, enhancing their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. It increases collaboration and teamwork experiences through group work, motivating students to connect more deeply to learning by transforming their projects into meaningful real-life outcomes, thereby equipping them with both academic and practical skills to succeed in their future careers. Points to consider when creating lesson plans were highlighted, and participant questions were addressed to complete the session.
Why STEM?
"The presentation on 'Why STEM?' was conducted by our academic partners, relating it to the previous topic of project-based learning. Initially, the importance of STEM education globally and in Turkey was highlighted. STEM education encompasses the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, aiming to provide students with in-depth knowledge, skills, and competencies in these fields. It forms a crucial foundation to meet the current and future needs of the business world and society. STEM education equips students with critical skills such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, data analysis, hypothesis formation, and testing. These skills enhance students' abilities to tackle complex problems and generate innovative solutions. Moreover, advancements in STEM fields support economic growth and enhance national competitiveness.
The presentation emphasized the interactive engagement of participants, shaped by their feedback and perspectives. Following the completion of theoretical training, the importance of implementing STEM education in classrooms was underscored, followed by practical exercises. Participants were divided into groups, provided with materials, and tasked with designing a tool according to given guidelines. After completing their designs, groups were asked to evaluate their work and received feedback to conclude the session."
In our project, presentations on "Artificial Intelligence" have been conducted. These sessions involved detailed examinations of artificial intelligence and machine learning, with examples presented on its use across various fields and particularly in education. The session delved into the technical details of artificial intelligence and also highlighted examples of ChatGPT applications, one of the most effective uses of AI today. The session concluded with a presentation from a doctoral student who developed an engineering application using artificial intelligence in their doctoral thesis project.
The course content covered explanations on the similarities and differences between deep learning and machine learning, two widely used concepts in the field of artificial intelligence. Machine learning, representing a broader concept, involves the development and training of algorithms to enable computer systems to perform a specific task with a defined performance criterion. On the other hand, deep learning is noted as a more specific subfield that provides effective solutions for large datasets and complex problems. The training included practical applications and was conducted interactively, completing 40 hours of teacher training.
