Review joint event of INFINITE and Up-STEAM

Up-sTEAm Final Conference Highlights Innovation, Collaboration, and Impact
The Up-sTEAm project successfully concluded its journey with a dynamic and forward-looking Final Conference titled “STEM Education for Sustainable Futures”, held at the House of Connections in Groningen. The event, co-organised with the cconsortium of the INFINITE project, brought together educators, researchers, policymakers, and innovators to explore the future of STEM education, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, inclusive learning, and sustainable development.

The conference opened with a high-level panel discussion on “STEM education for sustainable futures: Focusing on AI and informal education”. Esteemed speakers included Prof. Justin Dillon (University College London), Prof. Digna Couso (Autonomous University of Barcelona), Dr Christina Fox (Utrecht University), Dr Luana Silveri (University of Groningen), and Dr Carol Garzón López (University of Groningen, Campus Fryslân). The panel was moderated by Dr Mohammad Gharesifard and Dr Francisco Castillo (University of Groningen), who guided a rich exchange of ideas on the evolving role of STEM education in addressing global challenges.

A central highlight of the conference was the presentation and hands-on exploration of the Up-sTEAm Digital Toolkit, one of the project’s key outcomes. Through dedicated workshops, participants engaged with:

• Cross-cutting modules, designed to foster interdisciplinary STEM learning

• Content-specific modules, tailored to subject-focused teaching and learning needs

These sessions demonstrated how the Up-sTEAm project supports educators in integrating innovative, inclusive, and sustainability-oriented approaches into their teaching practices. In parallel, additional workshops explored AI literacy and digital capacity building in higher education, while a seminar session addressed the importance of student wellbeing and the balance between AI and human connection in learning environments.

The conference concluded with poster presentations, networking opportunities, and knowledge exchange among approximately 70 participants, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that has defined the Up-STEAM project.

Over its duration, Up-sTEAm has developed practical tools, pedagogical resources, and a strong European partnership aimed at enhancing STEM education through inquiry-based, inclusive, and future-oriented approaches. The Final Conference marked not only the conclusion of these efforts but also the beginning of continued impact through dissemination and adoption of project results. For more information about the Up-sTEAm project and access to its resources, visit the project website or follow upcoming dissemination activities.