International teacher's camp for creating innovative STEM lesson plans

From June 11 to 13, Zemgale Regional Competence Development Center (ZRKAC) in cooperation with Riga Technical University Science Center "Futurimo Rīga" organized an international teacher's camp, in which 31 teachers from Latvia, Lithuania and Denmark participated to jointly create innovative lesson plans and acquire tools that promote STEM  education, while strengthening international cooperation and exchange of experiences. 

The teachers had the opportunity to participate in master classes and lectures taught and inspired by experts and mentors on diverse design thinking methods for promoting creativity, settting goals and achieving them using different methods in STEM education, the importance of purposeful communication and giving practical suggestions for motivating students in STEM education and the use of artificial intelligence tools designed to create learning content. Furthermore, the participants were introduced to the "Futurimo Riga" expositions, which show interactive technologies and the possibilities to integrate them into the learning process, encouraging students' involvement and interest in science. 

On the second day, the teachers worked in international teams to develop creative STEM lesson plans. They got to know the Futurimo Riga cooperative workshops - the use of Makerspace technologies, 3D printers and laser machines, as well as the integration of these technologies in the learning process. They participated in chemistry experiments in which teachers got ideas about a practical approach to teaching science to students. 

On the third day, the teachers presented their lesson plans that included creative and innovative approaches to learning STEM subjects. 

Participants' feedback: "Many thanks for this event, which inspires new collaborations, inspires other teachers and inspires new ideas for STEM lessons!"; "International formats are very useful, and I appreciate that. I would definitely like to spend a little more time on mutual exchange of experiences.The idea of lesson plan is summarized and it's great - and I see that I can integrate it in my work!"

The project "Radošuma prēšanas STEM uści priekšmetos" aims to promote the creativity of STEM teachers, and to stimulate the interest and motivation of students to develop a career in the fields of natural sciences, technology, and engineering.

Report: Skaidrīte Bukbārde, Latvia