Tec 360 with TEC21 approach: an understanding of the profession from an earlier age through active learning

It is more than evident that generational gaps show different maturity profiles, 20 years ago defining the area of interest or vocational inclination during high school was easier for young students. Today, this demographic group is influenced by many stimuli like family, friends, teachers, and the one with the greatest impact today: social media. The presence of these elements in students’ environments makes it even more difficult to define one of the most important decisions in life: Choosing a professional career in a constantly changing world.A recurrent behavior pattern has emerged followed by concerns and uncertainty among high school students, and the faculty has been able to detect it. In addition to the main question of their area of interest, they also question the workplace of each area, the study methods, the main topics, labs, the connection with other disciplines, and so on. To approach these circumstances, a project has been designed so college professors and counselors can hold a multidisciplinary workshop in which the students can apply and observe the contributions of each area of study as well as their relationship with other disciplines. Also, this experience allows students to live Educational Model TEC21.The Model TEC21 allows the students to relate theory with practice in the real field to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values. By applying for Model TEC21 from an earlier age, the student, in addition to being vocationally oriented, also can experience this new way of learning and understand if it is appropriate given his or her personal life plan.The present document summarizes the methodology followed to integrate the Educational Model TEC21 to High School sophomores, through an active multidisciplinary workshop which may also contribute to making their final professional career choice by attending to their concerns through active learning.