ESF+ PROJECT “STEP for STEM“
(SF.2.4.06.04.0125)
The goal of the project:
The goal of the “STEP for STEM” project is to strengthen the capacities of the Croatian Society of Geotechnical Engineers and four partner CSOs to implement activities to popularise STEM among children and youth.
Purpose of the project:
The purpose of the “STEP for STEM” project is to strengthen the capacities of the Croatian Society of Geotechnical Engineers (HDIG) and partner associations (HDIO, OI “Varaždin”, AMAC-GFV, and DGIT) to implement STEM promotion activities among primary school students. This will be achieved through a collaborative partnership between the associations and the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, IV. Primary School Varaždin, and the primary schools in Klenovnik, Donja Voća, and Maruševec. As a result of the strengthened capacities, volunteers and employees of the project partner CSOs will develop programs for six “Small STEM Schools” and implement them during the project in the STEM Center for Children and Youth in Varaždin, through at least 90 cycles and with at least 900 students. In this way, educators will encourage and guide students toward a personal life and career path in the STEM field.
Expected project results:
- 5 Cooperation Programs between CSOs and educational institutions – partner schools and colleges – were implemented, to promote STEM among children and students
- Developed and implemented at least 10 professional development programs by the Geotechnical Faculty, to develop the capacity of at least 10 employees and volunteers of partner CSOs
- Conducted at least 10 programs of individual mentoring of employees and volunteers of CSOs by employees of the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering
- Accomplished at least 8 study visits to relevant institutions, organisations and associations with at least 10 volunteers and employees of partner CSOs
- Achieved participation in at least 2 scientific and professional conferences in the STEM field
- Created 6 complete Small STEM School programs: environment (air, water and soil), astronomy, 3D modelling and Lego robotics
- Carried out activities of Small STEM Schools with at least 900 primary school students (300 students per year) at the STEM Center for Children and Youth in Varaždin
- At least 120 workshops for primary school students were conducted in each year of project implementation, i.e., a total of 360 workshops during the project
- Conducted at least 36 STEM promotion activities in public places in Varaždin, Maruševec, Klenovnik and Donja Voća (12 in each year of project implementation)
HDIO will, taking into account the professional competencies of its members, organise the development of programs and the implementation of 3 Small STEM Schools for ages 1st – 3rd grade of elementary school, which will thematically cover the components of the environment: soil, water, and air, and will be held in the STEM Center. For the development and implementation of the aforementioned programs, HDIO will engage the necessary number of volunteers or hire the required number of small school workshop leaders.
Total budget of the project: €295,869.01
The project is co-financed by the state budget of the Republic of Croatia (15%) and the European Social Fund + (85%).
Project duration: 12.03.2025. – 12.03.2028.
Project beneficiary:
Hrvatsko društvo inženjera geotehnike (HDIG)
Project partners:
Hrvatsko društvo za inženjerstvo okoliša (HDIO)
Odred izviđača “Varaždin” (OI “Varaždin”)
Udruga diplomanata Geotehničkog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu (AMAC-GFV)
Društvo građevinskih inženjera i tehničara Varaždin (DGIT)
Geotehnički fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Varaždin (GFV)
Osnovna škola grofa Janka Draškovića Klenovnik
Osnovna škola Andrije Kačića Miošića, Donja Voća
Osnovna škola “Gustav Krklec” Maruševec
Contact person for additional information: Nenad Petrović, project manager
Telephone: +385 42 562 085
More details are coming soon on the project website.
The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund + and the Office for Cooperation with NGOs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
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