Course description

A focused professional learning journey.

STEM learning is most inclusive when it begins with a problem that matters and gives learners multiple ways to investigate, model, build and explain. Literacy and numeracy are not prerequisites to be completed elsewhere; they can be deliberately strengthened inside meaningful science and engineering work.

Participants solve accessible challenges, make computational thinking visible and design supports for language, data and collaboration. Coding may be included where useful, but the core ideas are taught through both digital and unplugged approaches.

Who is this course for?

Primary, lower-secondary and vocational teachers across subject areas.

Education settingsSchool, VET, adult and non-formal learning Prior experienceNo specialist expertise unless stated RecommendedBring a laptop or tablet where possible

Course objectives

Connect STEM challenges with literacy and numeracy growth
Teach computational thinking beyond programming
Structure fair and accessible scientific inquiry
Use engineering design to normalise iteration and revision
Support language, data interpretation and collaboration
Assess reasoning and evidence as well as final answers

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Design an authentic interdisciplinary STEM challenge
Use decomposition, patterns, abstraction and algorithms
Create literacy and numeracy scaffolds for inquiry
Facilitate a low-cost engineering design cycle
Build criteria for process, reasoning and product
Present an inclusive STEM learning sequence

Detailed 5-day programme

Fifteen connected modules, from understanding to confident application.

Day 1

STEM Identity, Belonging and Authentic Problems

Module 01

Who Gets to See Themselves as a STEM Learner?

Examine expectations, representation, task design and classroom discourse that influence participation and confidence.

Module 02

Turning Everyday Problems Into STEM Challenges

Frame accessible problems with genuine constraints, multiple solutions and links to science, mathematics, technology and communication.

Module 03 · Applied workshop

Authentic STEM Challenge Design

Turn an everyday problem into an accessible brief with genuine constraints, multiple solutions and visible links to science, mathematics and communication.

Practical outcome: Authentic STEM challenge brief

Day 2

Computational Thinking With and Without Coding

Module 04

Decomposition, Patterns and Abstraction

Break complex situations into manageable parts, identify what repeats and decide which information matters through practical unplugged tasks.

Module 05

Algorithms, Debugging and Iteration

Write precise processes, test them with others and treat errors as useful evidence. Connect these habits to writing, mathematics and practical routines.

Module 06 · Applied workshop

Unplugged Computational Thinking Lab

Solve and adapt tasks involving decomposition, patterns, abstraction, algorithms and debugging without making coding a prerequisite for participation.

Practical outcome: Computational-thinking activity sequence

Day 3

Inquiry, Evidence and Basic Skills

Module 07

Questions, Variables and Fair Investigation

Move from curiosity to testable questions, make decisions about variables and gather evidence with age-appropriate rigour.

Module 08

Reading, Measuring and Explaining Data

Embed vocabulary, diagrams, tables, estimation, graph interpretation and claim-evidence-reasoning supports inside the investigation.

Module 09 · Applied workshop

Inquiry and Data Evidence Workshop

Plan a fair investigation and build vocabulary, measurement, tables, graph interpretation and claim-evidence-reasoning supports into the learning process.

Practical outcome: Inquiry plan with literacy and numeracy scaffolds

Day 4

Engineering Design for Inclusive Collaboration

Module 10

Imagine, Build, Test and Improve

Experience a low-cost design challenge, document design decisions and use test results to improve a prototype.

Module 11

Roles, Constraints and Accessible Participation

Structure team roles that value planning, making, measuring, documenting and presenting. Adapt materials and processes without removing challenge.

Module 12 · Applied workshop

Inclusive Engineering Sprint

Build, test and improve a low-cost prototype while using roles that value planning, making, measuring, documenting and explaining.

Practical outcome: Prototype cycle and collaboration plan

Day 5

Challenge Showcase and Assessment

Module 13

Assessing Thinking, Not Just the Final Model

Create observable criteria for problem framing, evidence, computation, iteration, teamwork and explanation.

Module 14

Micro-Teaching and Design Review

Facilitate part of the challenge, gather learner-perspective feedback and revise instructions, scaffolds and assessment.

Module 15 · Applied workshop

STEM Performance Task Studio

Create criteria for reasoning, evidence, iteration, collaboration and product quality, then micro-teach part of the challenge and revise it.

Practical outcome: Inclusive STEM challenge and performance rubric

The sequence and examples may be fine-tuned after the pre-course needs analysis. The published learning outcomes and 30 teaching hours remain unchanged.

Teaching and learning methods

The course uses active professional learning. Short conceptual inputs are followed by investigation, creation, testing, feedback and reflection connected to each participant’s own educational context.

Unplugged challengesInquiry stationsData investigationPrototype sprintError analysisPerformance-task design

Your course product

An inclusive STEM challenge with real-world context, computational-thinking pathway, basic-skills supports, prototype cycle and performance rubric.

European relevance

The course translates European priorities and competence frameworks into practical educational and institutional action.

Erasmus+ priorities

Inclusion and diversityWidening participation in STEM through accessible inquiry, explicit basic-skills support and attention to stereotypes and unequal opportunity.
Digital transformationDeveloping computational thinking, data literacy and purposeful use of digital tools across subject areas.
Quality and innovation in educationConnecting literacy, mathematics, science and technology through authentic interdisciplinary problems.
Participation in democratic lifeEquipping learners to use evidence, reason collaboratively and engage with science- and technology-related societal questions.

EU competence frameworks and reference instruments

Action Plan on Basic SkillsSupporting stronger literacy, mathematics, science, digital and citizenship competences and better support for educators.
European STEM Education Strategic PlanPromoting inclusive, attractive and coordinated STEM education linked to Europe’s skills needs.
Key Competences for Lifelong LearningProviding the European reference for mathematical, scientific, technological, digital and learning-to-learn competence.
DigComp 3.0Supporting data literacy, computational thinking, digital creation and problem solving.
EntreCompDeveloping creativity, initiative, collaboration and learning through experimentation and iteration.

Assessment, validation and follow-up

Learning is evidenced through active participation, daily practical outcomes, peer and trainer feedback, the final course product and an individual transfer commitment. Participants receive a Certificate of Attendance. Learning Agreement and Europass Mobility support is available when required.

Inclusive STEM, Computational Thinking and Basic Skills