“STEMpowering Youth” is an educational program developed by SciCo (short of Science Communication - NPO) and implemented in 15 Greek Rural Areas. The aim of “STEMpowering Youth” is to support project-based learning and interactive hands-on activities that connect science and technology with everyday life. Taking this into account we have developed the following:

Model 1 (implemented)

Extracurricular STEM program, comprised of 9 weekly courses. The methodology is project-based, inquiry and cooperative and the subjects are STEM oriented (Astronomy, Earthquakes, Water, GPS, Arduino, Engineering Projects). Each class contains a theoretical background, delivered via digital educational tools and scenarios, and relevant accompanying practical activities. In the beginning of each “STEMpowering Youth” cycle the educators are trained in Athens. All the educators receive the “Educators Guide” along with the “Class-Equipment Kit” to help them implement the program in their cities. Each cycle ends with the presentation of the student-projects that are developed during the program.

Model 2 (in progress)

Educational portable kits to enrich the Physics and Informatics school classes. Both the Physics and the Informatics kit contain Lab and Arduino equipment respectively, while both include additional guides for the educator. This material contains carefully selected hands-on activities that align with the Greek School Curriculum.

More information: https://goo.gl/HWpzgG

Learning objectives

The activities of our program focus on linking STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) with everyday life problems. The courses are designed within the frame of inquiry and cooperative teaching to help students develop essential skills like communication, problem‐solving, creativity and critical thinking. Students also learn to collaborate in teams and deal with real‐world problems by using the inquiry method and technological interactive tools. Furthermore, the students are being guided to take entrepreneurial steps in their scientific endeavors by creating projects and solve real world problems.

Available partnership opportunities

Here are some partnership opportunities you should consider in your development:

Recommended resources

• Train a Science or Informatics teacher mainly on using digital educational scenarios, Arduino Basics (programming in Ardublock or S4A) and the general principles of STEM education
• Perform a three‐hour weekly course for nine weeks following the program’s guide
• Make an online group/forum in order for the educators to cooperate easily with each other and upload relevant ideas and content
• Equipment for every group of students: Arduino starter kit, Galileo telescope’s kit, springs to explain the earthquake’s waves and other expendables necessary for the hands‐on activities.
• Have a classroom with computers and internet connection.

“STEMpowering Youth” is an extracurricular educational STEM program that is implemented in Greek Rural Areas. The aim of the program is to support project‐based learning with interactive hands‐on activities that connect science and technology with everyday life. Students learn to collaborate and
deal with real‐world problems by using the inquiry method and technological interactive tools.
“STEMpowering Youth” was designed by the educational Organization SciCo (Science
Communication) with the academic advice of Ellinogermaniki Agogi and the support of Vodafone
Foundation. The program has started in February 2017 and has been implemented at 15 cities in
Thrace and Dodecanese so far.

Youtube playlist with promotional videos about the program STEMpowering Youth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpycBpOZLO4&list=PLiKJNI_kg‐CdSsAFOYEkfQi3ETvQedwQz
Articles about STEMpowering Youth
http://www.vodafone.gr/portal/stem

http://scico.gr/activities/stempowering-youth/  

Organisation in charge of this Accelerator

This Accelerator has been developed by SciCo .

Marilena Andrikopoulou, [email protected]

SciCo, Epistimi Epikoinonia
Leof. Kifisias 210 , Chalandri , TK 15231
Website: http://scico.gr/