A Portuguese teacher's STEM Journey to Crete

Report by Elisabete Marques, Primary School Teacher at EB São João de Deus – Agrupamento de Escolas D. Filipa de Lencastre
Lisbon, Portugal

Crete: A STEM Journey That Touched My Soul

The week I spent in Crete was more than just a training course; it was the start of what I hope will be a long-lasting friendship and collaboration within the Science on Stage family.

I arrived with the goal of participating in a Erasmus+ KA1 training course on STEM education, but I left with a heart full of unforgettable experiences. This course wasn't just an opportunity to deepen my knowledge; it was the starting point for a transformative Joint Project, allowing me to meet and collaborate with teachers from different cultures, all with a shared passion for education.

The training focused on STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). It aimed to show teachers how to make science learning more engaging and relevant by connecting it with real-life contexts. The course combined workshops, and hands-on activities, ranging from low-cost experiments to MicroBit programming, and gamification approaches such as designing simple escape rooms. This interdisciplinary and playful approach allowed us to explore how STEAM can motivate students, strengthen problem-solving skills, and especially encourage girls to pursue science-related fields.

Building on this experience, I worked with my Greek colleague on a joint project titled “Unlocking Science for the Youngest – An Escape Room Idea.” We designed an inquiry-based STEAM escape room for students aged 6–12, where they solve hands-on challenges across physics, chemistry, engineering, technology, arts, and history. Inspired by the novel Zorba the Greek and shared cultural narratives, the project promotes teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking, while making science accessible and fun. Our goal is to provide teachers with a flexible, low-cost blueprint that can be adapted to different classrooms and age groups.

The welcome I received in Crete was exceptional. I felt at home, almost as if I were part of a large family. The hospitality of the locals is truly warm and sincere, and this contagious energy made all the difference in my experience.

But Crete is so much more than its training. It's a journey of flavors. I had the privilege of cooking local food and exploring authentic tastes that transported me to the very essence of the island. And as if the landscape and gastronomy weren't enough to captivate me, the universe offered an unforgettable spectacle: a lunar eclipse that painted the sky in reddish tones, leaving me completely awestruck. And then, there are the beaches. The unique beauty of Crete's beaches is indescribable. Their landscape, both wild and serene, touched me deeply. The icing on the cake was the experience of swimming in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, right at sunset. With each sunset, the sky became a canvas of vibrant hues, and my soul was embraced by a feeling of peace and beauty I've rarely known.

This trip was a perfect fusion of learning and discovery. Crete offered me a new perspective on education and life. It was a reminder that, even in a professional training context, there's always space for magic, for human connection, and for the beauty that nature offers us. I left with new friendships, new ideas, and a renewed spirit, ready to embark on the next phase of this project.

I will definitely be back, and this time, I'll be bringing more colleagues with me. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Science on Stage for creating these amazing opportunities for collaboration through the Teachers Network and Festivals. A special thank you to Ms. Stefanie Schlunk, Chair of Science on Stage Europe, whose letter of recommendation and encouragement for a collaboration were crucial in making this experience possible.