The final conference of the project “Full STEAM Ahead!”
On Monday, April 29, the final conference of the project Full STEAM Ahead! – “Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics at the Second Elementary School of Varaždin” was held. The conference was attended by school staff (teachers and other employees), representatives of the City of Varaždin, the media, project partners, and others involved in the project.
The final conference was led by the principal and project leader, Sanja Posavec, who presented the project results and thanked everyone who contributed to its implementation, especially the partners and the City of Varaždin as the school’s founder. She emphasized that the project was successfully completed, bringing transformation through the STEAM concept (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics).
Our first key partner, the Faculty of Organization and Informatics (FOI) of the University of Zagreb, brought their extensive experience and expertise in the fields of information technology, education, and research. Their team of experts contributed to the development of innovative curricula and the creation of cognitive agents. The second partner, NT Gruppen AS from the Kingdom of Norway, known for developing web platforms and pedagogical tools, enriched the project with their work on augmented reality and gamification. NT Gruppen AS adapted and localized the NOMON and SANDBOX systems for the Second Elementary School of Varaždin.
As part of the project, which lasted almost two years, two modern computer science classrooms were equipped, a classroom for additive manufacturing and 3D printing was set up (including a modern 3D printer and CNC machine), and the robotics classroom was equipped with modern robotics kits. Additionally, an astronomy classroom was outfitted with a new telescope and the NOMON system for meteor tracking.
Around twenty teachers from the school underwent STEAM training through six specialized workshops, and four teachers received mentoring related to the aforementioned technologies. Nine workshops were held with cognitive agents representing artificial intelligence capable of conversing in natural language. With the help of subject teachers, students designed the appearance of the agents and prepared questions, while the animation was done in FOI’s artificial intelligence lab.
Six winter schools for students were organized, covering topics such as computer game design, robotics, data security and protection, computer animation, astronomy, and 3D modeling and printing. Augmented reality technology was introduced, along with the SANDBOX system – a sandbox that enables the teaching of a wide range of natural phenomena, terrain changes, historical events, and more. At the end of the project, informational events and exhibitions of student work were held: a student game exhibition, assembled and programmed robots, 3D products, the event “let’s play in the sand,” and observatory days.
In the new, modern multifunctional space, which was arranged in part of the atomic shelter of the Second Elementary School of Varaždin, in addition to teaching and extracurricular activities, various other activities can be organized, such as workshops, summer and winter schools, school, county, state, and international STEM competitions. Additionally, various public events such as exhibitions, open days, press conferences, interactive lectures, round tables, and various creative activities related to STEAM education for students and teachers can also be held.
