About Us - Classic - Steam Next Step Academy

Our Vision

The vision of the STEAM NEXT STEP project is to foster a transformative, inclusive, and future-oriented European education ecosystem where STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) is meaningfully integrated into teaching and learning across all levels of schooling. The project envisions a Europe in which teachers, school leaders, and students are empowered as active agents of change, equipped with the competences, creativity, and confidence to address complex societal challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. By bridging scientific inquiry with artistic expression and innovation, STEAM NEXT STEP aims to cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that are essential for both personal development and professional engagement in the 21st century. At its core, the project aspires to ensure that every learner—regardless of background—has access to engaging, inclusive, and high-quality STEAM education, while every educator is supported through continuous professional development, collaboration, and participation in vibrant learning communities. Through its Academy, networking activities, and STEAM Fest initiatives, the project promotes a culture of experimentation, co-creation, and shared knowledge across Europe. Ultimately, STEAM NEXT STEP contributes to the broader European vision of education as a driver for innovation, sustainability, and social cohesion, aligning with EU priorities for digital and green transitions, and preparing both educators and learners to shape a more resilient and creative future.

WG1: STEAM for Professional Deveoplment

The success of STEAM does not rely on curriculum alone, but on the "human infrastructure" behind it. This group addresses the professionalization of STEAM educators. The rationale is that teachers often feel siloed within their specific disciplines. Professional engagement focuses on building Communities of Practice where educators can co-teach and collaborate with industry professionals. By analyzing needs in this area, the project ensures that STEAM isn't just an extra task for teachers, but a sustainable professional pathway that connects schools with the wider socio-economic ecosystem.

WG2: STEAM and Assessment of Learning

Traditional assessment methods (standardized testing, rote memorization) often fail to capture the "A" in STEAM—creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. This group’s rationale is rooted in the mismatch between holistic teaching and linear testing. To truly implement STEAM, we need "Assessment for Learning" rather than just "Assessment of Learning." This WG explores how to measure soft skills and transdisciplinary competencies through portfolios, peer review, and rubric-based qualitative analysis, ensuring that the student's creative process is valued as much as the final scientific result.

WG3: STEAM for Personalized Learning and Inclusiont

STEAM has historically faced a "leaky pipeline" regarding gender, neurodiversity, and socio-economic backgrounds. The rationale for this WG is to move away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to democratize high-level tech and art education. By leveraging Personalized Learning, the project can tailor the pace and medium of instruction to individual needs. This group investigates how STEAM can be a vehicle for social inclusion, using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to ensure that students with different learning profiles can find their voice in a technical world.

WG4: STEAM for Content Development

High-quality STEAM education requires a specific type of resource—one that is modular, digital, and adaptable. The rationale for this group lies in the scarcity of integrated, ready-to-use materials that cover multiple disciplines simultaneously. WG4 focuses on the "what" and the "how" of delivery. It explores how to develop content that remains scientifically rigorous while being artistically engaging. This involves reviewing existing Open Educational Resources (OERs) and digital tools that allow students to experiment, prototype, and iterate in a virtual or hybrid environment.

University of Bayreuth

Coordinator

The scientific profile of the University of Bayreuth (UBT) is characterized by interdisciplinarity, individuality, innovation and internationality. Teaching and research at the intersection of disciplines, as well as traditional and modern degree programmes in the humanities and social sciences, in law and economics, in the natural and engineering sciences lead to generally recognized degrees including the doctoral degree. For more please click the link below

University of Cyprus

WP3 Leader

University of Cyprus (UCY) is a public university with around 6000 undergraduates, 1000 Masters and PhD students, and 350 faculty members. Its Department of Education offers undergraduate programs in primary and preprimary education, a pre-service postgraduate secondary education program, and seven postgraduate programs. For more please click the link below

HVL

WP2 Leader

HVL is a leading HEI in Norway with a history in teacher education dating back to 1839. Enrolling 16,000 students across disciplines like education, health, and engineering, HVL excels in sustainable societal solutions and innovative pedagogy, particularly in creative and arts education. It hosts the Centre for Creativities, Arts, and Science (CASE) and coordinates projects such as the Global Science Opera. For more please click the link below

University of Malta

Working Group 3 Leader

The University of Malta (UM) is Malta’s primary public educational institution, aligning with the Bologna Process and European Higher Education standards. UM has a rich 400-year history, enrolling 11,500 students, including 1,000 international students from 92 countries. For more please click the link below

The Johannes Kepler University Linz

The Linz School of Education (LSE) at Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU), Austria, advances teacher education, educational research, and learning innovation. As a key player in Austria’s education sector, LSE integrates social sciences, educational sciences, and STEM to enhance teacher training and policies. For more please click the link below

Ellinogermaniki Agogi

WP5 Leader

Ellinogermaniki Agogi (EA) is one of Europe’s most innovative schools, with 2500 students (ages 5–18) and 250 teachers across disciplines. EA specializes in Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE), Project-Based Learning (PBL), and STEM education, integrating digital tools like virtual and augmented reality with story-based learning. Continuously modernizing STEM education, EA creates user-driven learning environments and provides professional development for teachers to navigate 21st-century challenges. For more please click the link below

NUCLIO

NUCLIO, a non-profit NGO founded in 2001, drives innovation in education through interdisciplinary and inquiry-based learning, STEAM, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Its team of scientists, teachers, and researchers promotes active research, design thinking in schools, and cutting-edge technology in classrooms. Is recognized by the Portuguese Ministry of Education as official training centre for professional development. For more please click the link below

Science View

WP7 Leader

Science View, founded in 2008, Science View is a non-profit organization promoting science communication, education, and social inclusion in Greece and Europe. Its team, including science communicators and journalists, works to make scientific knowledge accessible to the public. Science View also engages a network of nearly 350 experts (mainly in-service teachers and researchers). For more please click the link below

Maggioli S.p.A

WP4 Leader

Maggioli S.p.A founded in 1905, MAG is a leading Italian company offering professional solutions in IT, professional services, education, document management, and cultural heritage. With a strong presence in education and training, it aligns closely with the Erasmus+ STEAM NEXT STEP project, promoting interdisciplinary learning, digital skills, and professional training for teachers. For more please click the link below

MINISTERIO DA EDUCACAO, CIENCIA E INOVACAO

Escola Artística do Conservatório de Música do Porto

MINISTERIO DA EDUCACAO, CIENCIA E INOVACAO is represented in the project by the Escola Artística do Conservatório de Música do Porto (EACMP) is a public school specializing in Specialized Artistic Music Education (EAEM), forming part of Portugal’s distinct sector of conservatories and artistic schools. For more please click the link below

Inspiring the Future of STEAM Education