Previous EU initiatives on mathematics and science

The focus of the 2010 Education and Training programme (ET2010) was on achieving a 15% increase in the number of graduates in maths, science and technology (MST) between 2000 and 2010. All EU countries increased their performance and the EU target was reached in 2005.

Policy cooperation under ET2010 was organised under the MST Cluster, with representatives from 13 countries and the Eurydice network. Between 2006 and 2009, the MST Cluster focused on increasing participation in MST studies and careers, and getting more women into science. In 2010 the Cluster published a Compendium of Good Practices in MST .

In 2006 the European Commission tasked a small group of experts, chaired by former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, with examining ways to increase young people’s interest in science studies. The report Science Education now: A Renewed Pedagogy for the Future of Europe advocates teaching practices based on inquiry-based methods. One major follow-up effort is the support for inquiry-based science education in the Seventh Framework Research Programme.