Little STEMists

Topic(s) addressed

The project centred around ICT, new technologies and digital competences, cooperation between educational institutions and business, and research and innovation.

Target group(s)

About thousand children aged 3-7 were involved in the activities, that included also pupils with special needs and fewer opportunities. Also, 80 teachers took part in the project.

Methodologies

The project adapted science and engineering stories for children, focusing on developing capacities like originality, flexibility, connectivity, and imagination. It designed lesson scenarios, integrating all STEM domains, with mathematics being the most efficient choice. Teachers used interactive games, apps, educational robots, and various methods like mind mapping and Socratic questioning to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in children.

Innovation environment

The project primarily aimed to enhance literacy skills, aligning with national initiatives across partner countries. STEM labs were established in each partner institution, equipped with STEM kits, solar robots, educational robots, coding tools, and more. This provided a unique learning space for children to experiment, predict, analyse, and draw conclusions from their work, proving to be an innovative and inspiring experience for both teachers and students.

Teachers’ role

The integration of modern technology, mathematics, and science, including engineering kits, educational robots, and online programming platforms, along with innovative teaching methods, sparked intellectual curiosity and a thirst for knowledge among students. This approach laid the foundation for developing 21st-century competencies, including adaptability, digital literacy, creativity, critical thinking, information synthesis, effective communication, collaborative teamwork, task-oriented effort, problem-solving skills, and the ability to conduct tests and draw meaningful conclusions.

Impact and output

The project significantly improved teachers' STEM-related competencies, including planning and organizing integrated STEM activities. For students, it enhanced skills like fine motor abilities, digital literacy, and communication, fostering curiosity, resilience in the face of mistakes, and effective information interpretation. Local authorities welcomed the initiative and embraced educational innovations.

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