The Second Scientific Conference Held at TESAU

On September 25-26, 2025, the Second International Scientific Conference “Innovations in STEAM Education” took place at Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University. The event was held within the framework of the project “STEM concept for University Educational Programs Development (STEM-UPD)” which is funded by the Competitive Innovation Fund (CIF) of the Innovation, Inclusion, and Quality Project (I2Q).

Professors and teachers from various higher education institutions across Georgia and Europe attended the conference. Representatives of the Competitive Innovation Fund (CIF) of the I2Q project participated in the event.

In her welcoming speech, the CIF education specialist noted: “We are delighted that this project has been implemented with great success. The implementation team has diligently followed the action plan for 15 months. As the project nears its conclusion, we have achieved significant results: the STEM direction has been integrated into the university’s framework. One of the biggest challenges, establishing STEM network laboratories not only at universities but also in partnership with public schools, has been successfully addressed. These laboratories are equipped with STEM kits, the curriculum has been updated, and a teacher training program has been developed. This progress is a result of successful collaboration with Akaki Tsereteli State University, and we hope this partnership will continue..”

The conference featured discussions on various topics related to the STEM-UPD project, including best practices in teaching STEAM subjects, research-based instructional strategies, long-term learning goals, the integration of technology in education, non-formal education, inclusive education, and sustainable development. A study on pedagogical practices and needs was also presented.

The project is executed by a consortium that includes LEPL Akaki Tsereteli State University, Copernicus Science Center, and LLC “STEMIT,” in collaboration with TESAU. Its main objectives are to strengthen the STEM discipline and develop innovative curriculum approaches for the Faculty of Educational Sciences at TESAU and the Faculty of Pedagogy at ATSU, benefiting both current and future teachers. This initiative aims to enhance the STEM direction in universities and schools while equipping teachers to meet modern educational requirements.

The consortium, which consists of Akaki Tsereteli State University, Stimiti LLC, and the Copernicus Science Center, is committed to the project’s success. The primary supporter in preparing and implementing STEM resources and learning scenarios has been the consortium member “STEMIT.” Meanwhile, experts from the Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw, Poland, have provided valuable guidance in academic training and the establishment of a network of STEM clubs.