1st STEAM Congress
3-5 February - Gothenburg
Last February, the 1st European STEAM Congress in Gothenburg was a true celebration of creativity and collaboration. With over 150 enthusiastic attendees, the event brought together educators, industry professionals, and project officers from the EU Commission, all eager to reimagine STEAM education and promote gender equality. The opening day was filled with exciting experiments and even a dance-off—an unexpected twist that perfectly illustrated how science and fun can go hand in hand. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Swedish students captivated the audience by creating music through coding, blending art and technology in an inspiring performance.
On the second day, the Congress featured dynamic discussions on gender equality in STEAM, where experts openly debated challenges such as the wage gap between men and women. These thought-provoking conversations set the stage for a series of hands-on workshops that allowed participants to explore innovative teaching practices and creative solutions. The following day, focus groups reconvened to reflect on the workshops, sharing insights and solidifying practical ideas to make STEAM education more accessible and inclusive.
This memorable event was just the first step in STEAMbrace’s journey to bridge the gender gap in STEAM fields. With such a strong foundation built on collaboration and innovation, there’s plenty more to come in the near future.
Day 1 Recap
On the first day of the congress, the event kicked off with inspiring remarks from the WiTEC board of directors, delivered by Anca Dumitrescu. Our project coordinator, Juancho Pons, then presented a compelling introduction to the project, paving the way for Jade Iafrate to underscore the importance of such initiatives for the European Commission.
Javier Portillo followed by outlining the needs and proposals for advancing STEAM education across Europe. Representing the Bilbao Municipality, Itxaso Erroteta shared insights on the role of non-formal education in STEAM, while Jasmina Maric celebrated the power of performing arts by inviting young women to perform a creative coding music act.
The day continued with an engaging poster session where Tiago Nascimiento discussed the emergence of AI in STEAM, Luis Martín introduced us to the concept of infinite energy, and David Cuartielles demonstrated practical applications of electronics in the classroom.
Day 2 Recap
On the second day of the Congress, Lidia Pitzalis kicked things off with her inspiring «Go STEAM» lecture, setting an energetic tone for the day. Following her, Ander Arce from the University of the Basque Country shared insights on a decade of innovations driven by mobile applications. A dynamic panel discussion then brought to light the obstacles women face in STEAM projects, sparking a meaningful exchange of ideas among the participants.
Achilles Kameas offered a comprehensive lecture on developing STEAM educators’ competencies, emphasizing a holistic approach to teacher training. Professor Gregory Makrides challenged the audience to rethink and reshape the future of learning through the STEAM approach, while Katalin Oborni focused on advancing opportunities for girls and women in the field.
The day wrapped up with a series of interactive workshops hosted by various partners, providing hands-on experiences and fostering collaborative problem-solving that set the stage for continued innovation in STEAM education.
Day 3 Recap
On the third day, participants gathered to review and discuss the outcomes of the previous day’s workshops. These focus group discussions were rich in insights, as everyone shared their experiences, ideas, and practical strategies for advancing STEAM education.
The day culminated with heartfelt closing remarks from Anca Dumitrescu and Juancho Pons, who reflected on the productive dialogue and the new connections forged over the course of the event. Their closing words underscored a strong commitment to driving positive change in the field of STEAM and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration among all partners.
With this, the congress concluded on a high note, marking a fruitful and inspiring milestone for the project and its community.
