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Description
The project of strengthening the competencies of teachers, other educators and students in the STEM area and the area of STEM teaching and peer learning is implemented through professional workshops, support from Norwegian partners and three functional STEM classrooms that encourage cooperation, communication, research, problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. The project lasts 18 months and is implemented in the area of Novska, Požega and Virovitica and the scope of activities reaches three counties. The specificity of the project is that it directly emphasizes the interdependence of man, plants and animals in natural laws and raises awareness of individual and collective responsibility in the community.
Summary of project results
The Ready-STEM-Grow project aimed to tackle challenges in STEM education in primary schools in Novska, Požega, and Virovitica. The key issues included:
Lack of educational resources and specialized STEM training for teachers,
Limited STEM skills among students, including those with special educational needs, and restricted opportunities for hands-on STEM exploration,
Insufficiently equipped STEM classrooms,
Lack of systematic collaboration and knowledge exchange between Croatian and Norwegian educational institutions.
The project activities focused on enhancing teacher capacities, modernizing learning spaces, and developing innovative educational models in STEM, ICT, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship.
The Ready-STEM-Grow project successfully delivered significant results through various activities:
1.Improved teacher competencies in STEM education and teaching methodologies across three primary schools in Novska, Požega, and Virovitica.
-33 specialized training sessions for teachers and educational staff were conducted.
-12 trainers were trained, providing ongoing mentorship to teachers.
-3 STEM curricula were developed and implemented in partner schools.
-Study visits were organized both in Croatia and in Norway.
-80% of teachers have acquired new knowledge and applied it in their teaching practices.
2.Enhanced student competencies in STEM, including those with special educational needs.
-638 students participated in at least one project activity.
-194 STEM workshops were held for students.
-30 additional workshops were conducted in ICT, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship.
-6 field trips, 6 student exchanges, and 3 visits to entrepreneurs were organized.
-213 students with special educational needs took part in the project.
-76.48% of students demonstrated an increase in STEM-related knowledge.
3.Established fully functional STEM classrooms in three primary schools to foster STEM skill development.
-Schools were equipped with specialized tools, including an interactive video wall, interactive plant wall, simulation classrooms, meteorological stations, digital tools, scientific kits, and other didactic and professional equipment.
4.Improved digital, entrepreneurial, and active citizenship skills for teachers, educational staff, and students.
-18 ICT, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship training sessions were held for teachers.
-6 specialized student workshops focused on business skills, active citizenship, and digital literacy.
5.Strengthened bilateral cooperation with Norway.
-Knowledge and experience exchange with Norwegian partners was facilitated throughout the project.
-Study visits to Norway and connections with Norwegian educators were established.
-Norwegian partners visited Croatian schools, conducting joint training sessions for teachers on innovative STEM teaching methodologies and STEM workshops for students.
6.Increased visibility of STEM education''s importance.
-Parental involvement in students'' STEM education was enhanced through informative sessions and participation in public events.
-Three workshops were organized for parents on fostering STEM skills in children.
The project resulted in:
Enhanced STEM competencies among teachers through specialized training – 80% of teachers acquired new knowledge and applied it in teaching.
Increased STEM skills among students, including those with special educational needs – 76.48% of students gained new STEM-related knowledge.
Modernization and equipment upgrades in three STEM classrooms, ensuring long-term usability for future generations.
Ongoing bilateral cooperation with the Norwegian partner, facilitating further knowledge exchange and open communication for future projects.
Summary of bilateral results
The project benefited from bilateral cooperation through:-Knowledge and experience exchange between Croatian schools and Norwegian partner International Development Norway.-Study visits and collaboration with Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim and St. Sunniva School in Oslo.-Implementation of Norwegian best practices in STEM education within Croatian schools.Plans are in place for continued bilateral cooperation through new projects and educational programs.