The Fehmarn project is now opening registration for the “Tunnel Talents” educational program. This program is targeted at school students in the sixth and seventh grades, with the hope that it will generate more young people’s interest in construction and civil engineering fields, as announced by Femern A/S in a press release.
“Tunnel Talents” aims to teach students about the largest infrastructure project in Danish history – the Fehmarn Belt link – through a practical and playful approach.
Tested in three schools
For now, the educational material has been tested by school students at three schools, including the sixth grade at Søllested Village Institution on Lolland.
– The students have been very engaged and absorbed in working with the material. It is both exciting knowledge and something where students can use their hands and be active. We’ve seen that it really engaged actually all our students – including those who may not always participate actively, says Sture Bengtson, a teacher at the school.
Sensory and experiential elements engage
The leader of the Research Center for Science Education and Communication (FNUG) at the University of Southern Denmark, Professor Connie Svabo, assesses that “Tunnel Talents” will be able to engage the students:
– Thought has been given to sensory and experiential elements, and thus how to create curiosity and interest among the students. It is a good way to lay the groundwork for discovering new fields and interests as a student, says Connie Svabo.
Only one in five chooses vocational education
Only about one in five graduates from the ninth or tenth grade applies for a vocational education. This is far too few to meet the needs of the construction and civil engineering industry.
Head of Social Sustainability at the Fehmarn project, Oliver Sellner Vonsild, hopes that Tunnel Talents can help reverse this trend.
– The construction industry in Denmark needs more young people to be introduced to vocational education. Therefore, we hope to awaken interest in construction professions among more youths. We are really curious about everything the school classes will come up with using the material, tells Oliver Sellner Vonsild.
“Tunnel Talents” was developed in collaboration between Femern A/S, Autens ApS, Vendelboe Communication, and Serious Games Interactive and will be ready for the first students in primary school in the school year 2024/2025.
