On the 6 and 7 November, the OUTSTE(A)M partners, Dublin City University, European Schoolnet, AIJU and International Child Development Initiatives gathered in Leiden for the fourth partnership meeting to continue the collaborative work on outdoor learning in Early Childhood Education and Care and primary schools using age-appropriate technology and the STE(A)M approach.
The OUTSTE(A)M project aims to:
- Promote STEM teaching through an interdisciplinary approach.
- Develop methods that are adaptable to national and local curricula.
- Highlight the importance of early interventions to challenge stereotypes and biases around STEM professions.
During the two-day meeting, the partners focused on finalising the Guidelines for Educators. These are designed to help teachers use the OUTSTE(A)M Toolkit, a resource that includes customisable activities and learning scenarios, videos featuring real scientists discussing their work, and curated STE(A)M-related games and toys suitable for children aged 2 to 9 years. They also worked on preparing the OUTSTE(A)M MOOC, which will be launch in January 2026.
A highlight of the visit was an inspiring trip to the Hortus Botanicus Leiden, the oldest botanical garden in The Netherlands and part of the Leiden University. They met with the garden’s education officer, Maxime Boersma, who led a guided tour showcasing the many programmes and events Hortus offers for ECEC settings, primary schools, and families with young children. Her child-centred pedagogical approach, rich in storytelling, creativity, dance, and sensory exploration, reflects the integrated and outdoor focus of OUTSTE(A)M.
The meeting in Leiden marked an important milestone in our project, strengthening the partnership’s shared commitment to fostering creativity, inquiry, and sustainability in early education.
