International STE*M: STEM for All conference: 2024 & 2026
The inaugural International STE*M Conference, hosted by the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University in collaboration with KU Leuven, Belgium as part of the TEN network, was a sounding success. Held from 11–13 September 2024, the event fostered numerous new networking opportunities and strengthened existing partnerships, sparking enthusiasm among delegates for future conferences of this kind.
The program featured insightful pre-conference workshops such as Empowering STEM Teachers with AI: A Hands-on AI Experience for STEM Teacher Support and Build a Solar-Powered Mobile Charger! The conference highlighted thought-provoking keynotes by leading experts including Dr. Ir. Hanne Deprez and Dr. Arch. Robin Schaeverbeke from KU Leuven, Prof. Eugene Cloete from Stellenbosch University, and Prof. Gerrit Stols from the University of Pretoria. The conference was attended by various colleagues from South African Universities and representatives of the WCED. With almost 60 delegates from countries such as Belgium, Germany, Botswana, Namibia, and the USA (Idaho), the conference proved to be a vibrant platform for advancing international STE*M education and collaboration. A follow-up conference is being planned for the near future.
The second International STE*M Conference is currently being organized by Dr Marie-Louise Botha in collaboration with Dr Tami Chirikure from the University of Botswana to be hosted by SU in September 2026.
Team Knowledge Finland mobility grant: Digital learning in STEAM pedagogy for the Equity of Education (DigiSTEAM): 2024 - 2025
Dr. Marie-Louise Botha, along with postgraduate students Ms. Delecia Davids, Mr. Simon van Eeden, and ADE student Mr. Christopher Belu from Stellenbosch University, successfully participated in the second phase of this mobility programme from 17–26 September 2024 at the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland. Craft and STEM Education activities were attended as the project aims to promote educational equity by integrating digital pedagogy into STEAM teacher training in Finland and South Africa, focusing on sharing and evaluating best practices across Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Crafts, and Mathematics. Through short-term mobility between South Africa and Finland, STEAM teachers and students from SU, UH, and UEF developed interdisciplinary skills in digital pedagogy, design thinking, and critical reflection, fostering 21st-century skills and cross-cultural perspectives in STEAM education.
From 23–28 February 2025, Prof. Anna Kouhia and Dr Kirsi Wallinheimo from the University Helsinki, and Prof. Anne Posti from the University of Eastern Finland, accompanied by students in the DigiSTEAM project, visited Drs. Marie-Louise Botha and Pauline Hanekom and participating postgraduate students in the Education Faculty during the third phase of the mobility programme.
The group explored the Cape Town Science Centre, joining a school programme that show-cased the integration of science, technology, arts, and mathematics. At the Zeitz MOCAA museum, located in a repurposed grain silo-turned-hotel, participants experienced the blending of architecture, contemporary African art, technology, and engineering.
Prof. Kathryn Smit from SU’s Visual Art Department delivered a guest lecture, Beyond the Science: Forensic Imaging Restores ‘Personhood’, sharing her research that bridges forensic art and science.
A visit to the Kusasa school, a non-profit project in Franschhoek, highlighted STEAM education in action within an under-resourced, disadvantaged community. Dr. Paseka Chisale led an engaging arts lecture that welcomed active participation from the Finnish visitors.
The week fostered rich dialogue and hands-on collaboration, reinforcing how interdisciplinary STEAM education can promote equity and innovation across South African and Finnish contexts.
