The project “STEMpo – Rhythm of the Community: Digital Competences for Human Development”, in which we participate as a partner institution, has entered its second year of implementation. The project runs from 12 March 2025 to 12 March 2028 and is co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The total project value amounts to EUR 292,103.12.
During the first year of implementation, significant results were achieved in bringing STEM fields closer to students and strengthening capacities for the development of high-quality and practical STEM content.
A total of 399 students participated in project activities during the first year, while 120 STEM workshops were held in six partner primary schools. The workshops focused on developing digital and ICT competences, critical thinking, creativity and collaborative skills, while connecting STEM fields with topics related to community development, solidarity, inclusion and sustainable development.
To ensure the quality implementation of activities for students, a significant part of the project was also dedicated to strengthening the capacities of the DKolektiv project team. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, as a partner institution, delivered 10 training sessions for the DKolektiv project team in areas related to digital competences and the implementation of STEM content, as well as a series of group and individual mentoring sessions providing continuous professional support in the preparation and implementation of STEM workshops and public events. In addition, the project team participated in four additional training sessions conducted by external experts, as well as a study visit to Slovenia, during which they became familiar with examples of good practice and innovative approaches to the development of digital competences and STEM programmes.
STEM content was not limited to school classrooms. During the first year, 12 public STEM promotion events were also held, bringing STEM activities closer to students, parents and the wider local community.
In the second year of implementation, i.e. in the new school year, we continue with workshops for students in grades 3 and 4, as well as grades 7 and 8, in partner schools, public STEM promotion events and mentoring support for the project team. The aim is to continue providing students with practical learning experiences through STEM and to demonstrate how digital competences, technology and critical thinking can be used to solve real-life challenges in everyday life and the community.
The project “STEMpo – Rhythm of the Community: Digital Competences for Human Development” aims to strengthen DKolektiv’s capacities to increase children’s and students’ interest in STEM fields, develop ICT and digital competences, and encourage active participation of students and the community in STEM activities through an interdisciplinary approach and cooperation between civil society organizations, the academic community and schools.
The project holder is DKolektiv – Organization for Social Development, while the partners are Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek – Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, Frana Krste Frankopana Primary School, Franje Krežme Primary School, Hinko Juhn Primary School, Ivana Brlić Mažuranić Primary School, Ljudevit Gaj Primary School and Vladimir Becić Primary School.
