Here you will find the definitions of the most relevant terms in the MPI. For more detailed descriptions, check out the Glossary.

Co-creation

Co-creation is a process in which students collaborate (with teachers) in creating their own learning experience. This approach is based on one of the main principles of constructivist learning theory, namely that learners construct knowledge and meaning from live experiences (experiments, labs, project related work, group work etc.) rather than from passively taking in information. Co-creation makes active use of students’ input and regards teaching as a dialogue and a collaboration rather than a one-way transfer of knowledge.

Innovation Lab

Innovation Labs bring together students from different disciplines for a limited period of time to work in small teams on solutions to relevant societal challenges. Often an external stakeholder such as a company or local municipality is involved in the lab and presents the challenge/sets the task. Innovation Labs are co-creational and include groupwork as well as phases of self-reflection. They are not only focused on the outcomes but also on the (transdisciplinary) methods of reaching these outcomes.

Transdisciplinarity

Transdisciplinarity describes the approach of analyzing and acting on the present human situation from the perspective of diverse scholarly fields in order to deal with the complexity and interrelatedness of some urgent problems of humanity. The purpose is to assemble ideas for the solution of a problem from every relevant scientific and scholarly discipline from STEM-based subjects to the humanities.

Transdisciplinary Education (TDE)

In the context of this Menu, transdisciplinary education (short TDE) refers to curricular as well as extracurricular educational formats in higher education with a transdisciplinary approach. Thus, TDE may also include voluntary activities in sustainability issues, charity, arts and technologies.

STEAM+

Europe faces grand challenges, such as terror, climate change, energy transition and a pandemic. Facing these challenges affords expertise in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), but skills and knowledge from All other subjects are needed to create STEAM solutions. Social, and ethical concerns are vital in dealing with the above-mentioned challenges and historical and (inter-) cultural perspectives always need to be considered. Creativity and artistic output are means of communication; they establish dialogue and generate new ideas. Bringing together students and teachers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds as well as non-academic stakeholders, transdisciplinary talent programmes can become laboratories of STEAM innovation. That is what STEAM+ is all about.

Honours Programmes (HP)

Honours Programmes are selective study programmes linked to higher education institutions. They are designed for motivated and gifted students who want to do more than the regular program or course offers. These programmes have clear admission criteria and clear goals and offer educational opportunities that are more challenging and demanding than regular programmes (Wolfensberger, Honours in Europe: getting to work, 2).