Since October 2019 the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth implements a STEM program in a number of primary schools throughout all he districts of Cyprus. From the beginning of the current school year 2023-2024, the Ministry decided to extend the program in order to include 14 schools.
IMPLEMENTATION OF A STEM PROGRAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS) IN CYPRUS PRIMARY EDUCATION
The STEM program takes place after school ιn 80 minute sessions twice a week and is addressed to 6th grade students who choose to attend it. In the case of all-day schools, the course is integrated in the interest subjects of the afternoon zone. The schools that do not operate an afternoon zone, extend their normal morning session after 1.05 pm to include STEM classes.
During their involvement in the course’ s project–based activities, students utilize knowledge, concepts, procedures and practices from the fields of Natural Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in integrated learning settings, to deal with problematic situations and issues related to the world of everyday life.
Teachers with qualifications and/or excellent knowledge and skills in teaching the S.T.E.M disciplines are selected to teach in the course. Before udertaking their teaching duties, they attend a training session organised by the Depardment of Primary Education and the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute.
