From Imagination to Construction: Engineering Teacher Training at Primary School in Greece

On 7 September 2026, the workshop “STEM Makers in Primary School: From Imagination to Construction” took place at the 4th Experimental Primary School of Ermoupolis in Syros, Greece. The event was organised and hosted by the 4th Experimental Primary School of Ermoupolis and supported by the Science on Stage Engineering Grant. This is the report by workshop presenter Emmanouil Argyros:

The workshop brought together 17 in-service primary school teachers teaching STEM-related subjects, including Science, Mathematics and ICT/Technology, mainly to pupils aged 8–12. Using accessible, low-cost materials, the workshop provided a hands-on setting for experimentation, teamwork and the exchange of classroom ideas. The activities were designed to be easily adapted and transferred directly to primary school classrooms.

The workshop began with an introduction to the Engineering Design Process (Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test, Improve). Participants then put the process into practice in two hands-on activities: “Rubber Band Engineering – Designing a Powered Vehicle” and “Strong Structures – Bridges and Load-Bearing Design”, which included constructing and testing bridges under load. The workshop concluded with participants presenting their constructions, reflecting on the activities and discussing how they could be adapted for their own classrooms.

The feedback was very positive. Participants particularly appreciated the hands-on nature of the activities, the opportunities for collaboration, the use of low-cost materials and the ease with which the activities could be transferred to the classroom.