InSSTER

InSSTER, Innovative STS (Science, Society, Technology) Education Research Centre, is a dynamic multidisciplinary research hub that brings together passionate educators and scholars from diverse fields within the field of education. Our collaborative team includes faculty members and researchers from the Department of Education at the University of Nicosia. Together, we explore the intersection of inclusive research education, science, society, and technology, with a strong emphasis on innovative and inclusive practices.

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Vision

InSSTER promotes research in education focusing on innovative and inclusive practices in Science, Society, Technology education. This involves transforming schools to cater to all children, including marginalised groups, aiming to eliminate exclusion. It also emphasises cultivating skills for global problem-solving, ensuring inclusive education, and addressing gender equality in digital skills. InSSTER aligns with the Digital Education Action Plan for comprehensive and high-quality digital instruction and training (European Commission, 2020).

Objectives

  • 1

    Conduct state-of-the-art research under the umbrella of innovative and inclusive education with links to science, society and technology;

  • 2
    Participate in competitive EU calls and receive external funding for projects
  • 3
    Establish a national and international network with relevant, researchers, schools, and policy makers;
  • 4
    Engage with society on issues related to inclusive science and technology education, and
  • 5
    Offer continuous training on skills, methodologies and technologies to its members and beyond.

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Research

The members of InSSTER are involved in funded research under the umbrella of Innovative and Inclusive education with links to science, society and technology.

  • EUVHS

    • Start:
    • End:

    Local Principal Investigator

    Participants
    Christiana Karousiou

    Coordinator
    Akademie Klausenhof Germany

    Ref.
    ERASMUS + KA2, Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices, KA226 - Partnerships for Digital Education Readiness

    Budget
    268565 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2020-1-DF03-KA226-SCH-093410

    Website
    https://euvirtualschools.eu/

    The aim of EUVHS – A framework for the design and implementation of European Virtual ScHoolS project (co-funded by the Programme Erasmus+ Key Action 2: Strategic Partnership for Schools) is to improve the quality and effectiveness of digital education in European secondary schools contributing to reach a standard level of preparedness and quality in virtual learning as set in the Digital Competence Framework for Educators and to contribute to the European Education Area. EUVHS develops innovative practice and methods for digital education and aims at creating a training course for school leaders, teachers, and students that will equip them with the knowledge and tools to effectively teach and learn through digital education.

  • IncluSME: Intercultural learning in STEM (mathematics and science) initial teacher education

    • Start: 01/2016
    • End: 12/2019

    Local Principal Investigator

    Participants
    Maria Evagorou

    Coordinator
    University of Education in Freiburg, Germany

    Ref.
    ERASMUS +, Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

    Budget
    448195 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2016-DE01-KA201-002910

    Website
    https://icse.eu/international-projects/prior-projects

    IncluSMe (2016-2019) is an Erasmus+ project focussing on intercultural learning in mathematics and science initial teacher education. IncluSMe (Intercultural learning in mathematics and science education) offers a constructive contribution for tackling one of Europe’s greatest challenges: education for an increasing number of refugee and immigrant youth, to integrate them into European educational systems and to provide for stable, socially cohesive societies. The project aims to increase the quality of higher education curricula for prospective maths and science teachers by linking maths and science education with intercultural learning – and thereby strengthening students’ social, civic and intercultural competences. Core to IncluSMe is the design and implementation of open access teaching modules on intercultural learning for prospective maths and science teachers.

  • Up-STEAM:Upskilling Prospect Teachers in STEAM for elevating out of school learning for all

    • Start: 11/2023
    • End: 10/2025

    Local Principal Investigator
    Maria Evagorou

    Participants
    Agni Stylianou Georgiou

    Coordinator

    Ref.
    KA2, Erasmus+

    Budget
    400000 EUR

    Agreement No.

    Website

    The Up-sTEAm project aims to provide university students studying to become teachers and/or science communicators with the skills and knowledge necessary to design effective and meaningful STEAM activities for non-formal learning contexts that are appropriate and adapted to school pupils’ needs and particularities. The goal is to increase access to non-formal STEAM education for these students.  

  • Supporting School Leaders to build a digital transformation strategy (DigiLEAD)

    • Start: 12/2022
    • End: 11/2024

    Local Principal Investigator

    Participants
    Christiana Karousiou

    Coordinator
    Institute of Technology and Development Foundation, Bulgaria

    Ref.
    Erasmus+, KA220-SCH - Cooperation partnerships in school education

    Budget
    264.626 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2021-1-BG01-4KA220-SCH-000032711

    Website
    https://digilead-project.eu

    DigiLEAD aims to upskill the school leaders’ competencies to develop digital transformation strategies and support the teachers and students to improve their digital skills and competencies. Specific Objectives:
    • Support School leaders and staff to develop a digital strategy and their digital skills.
    • Develop school leadership teams’ competencies for leveraging free digital tools and resources for school improvement.
    • Develop a practical toolkit aligned with the DigCompEdu, with practical, step-by-step guides on how to design and deploy a strategy.
    • Help schools to adapt and use the SELFIE and TET-SAT tools to support the digital strategy development.