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.