Project team visits Portugal as part of a study trip!
As part of the project “Razvoj mreže STEM ambasadora” a group of thirty members—including STEM ambassadors, organizers, and project partners—participated in a study trip aimed at professional development on modern methods of knowledge transfer in STEM education. The training, titled “Promoting STEM Education through Teacher Training,” was organized by the DOREA Educational Institute in Porto, Portugal, from March 27th to April 2nd, 2022.
Throughout the training, various STEM-related topics were explored through a series of interactive activities. Participants engaged in discussions on themes such as: “How to engage the audience,” “How to make learning fun and creative,” “How to foster curiosity and interest in science,” and “What knowledge and skills are needed to be an effective educator.” These topics were addressed using practical knowledge transfer methods in an informal learning environment.
A key aspect of the training was its hands-on approach. After a brief introduction to each topic, participants worked individually or in groups to develop their own answers and solutions, which they later discussed together. The significance of this experiential learning—where knowledge is not simply presented but rather discovered through collective insight—was emphasized by Ivan Kobelev, an educator and facilitator who designs and delivers training sessions that connect individuals and groups while motivating them for further learning. Given the participants’ high motivation, diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests, teamwork, open communication, and idea exchange were strongly encouraged, contributing to the overall quality of the training and resulting in highly positive evaluations from all participants.
Among the various topics and activities, some were highlighted as particularly useful. One such example was the SOLE (Self-Organized Learning Environment) tool, which places motivation and an investigative spirit at the center of learning, helping participants develop information discovery skills as well as critical and analytical thinking. Another particularly engaging activity involved exploring the streets of Porto and interacting with local people as a source of inspiration for workshops with questions such as: “How can we use the street for learning?” and “What do the Portuguese think about science?” This activity encouraged participants to seek ideas in a new context and gain fresh perspectives. The experience served as a creative foundation for the following day, when participants worked in groups to design short workshops on selected STEM topics, allowing them to apply the knowledge they had gained and receive feedback from their peers.
At the end of the training, time was set aside for both group and individual reflections and evaluations of the program. Participants reported feeling highly motivated and empowered for their future work on the project. They expressed excitement about applying their knowledge in practical work with children, youth, and the general public, as well as enthusiasm for future opportunities to develop and implement new ideas, knowledge, and skills.
The “Razvoj mreže STEM ambasadora” project runs from September 1st, 2021, to July 31st, 2023, and is implemented by Bioteka in collaboration with the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology in Zagreb, as well as the organizations DOOR, FabLabHR.net, and the Višnjan Astronomical Society.
Article authors: Vanja Novosel, Katarina Horvat
