From April 7th to 12th, 2025, Nicosia, Cyprus, became the heart of inclusive education as it hosted the SpicE Exchange Program — a week-long mobility program focused on developing inclusive STEAM education through hands-on learning, expert-led training, and cross-cultural exchange.

The event was co-organized by two leading academic institutions: the University of Cyprus and Trakia University. Over 40 participants from four countries came together to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and explore innovative teaching strategies to support all learners, particularly those with diverse needs and learning profiles.

The week opened with an exciting and collaborative challenge — the Egg Drop Challenge. This engaging STEAM-based activity immediately set a tone of creativity, teamwork, and joyful experimentation. As participants built and tested their designs, they began to build the relationships and trust that would carry through the rest of the week.

The early part of the program focused on key pedagogical frameworks, including STEAM education, differentiated instruction, and the design of inquiry-based learning activities. Participants stepped into the Role of inclusive educators and curriculum designers, addressing the Audience of diverse learners in real classrooms. Using a Format inspired by the RAFT (Role, Audience, Format, Topic) strategy, they co-created lesson plans and educational projects where learners might take on roles such as young scientists or engineers, write from different perspectives, or respond to real-world challenges. The Topic of inclusivity in STEAM remained central, with every activity designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking across disciplines — empowering all learners to participate fully, express themselves meaningfully, and thrive in collaborative learning environments.
Midweek, the program shifted toward evaluation and critical reflection. Participants explored tools such as SWOT analysis to assess the effectiveness of educational initiatives and reflect on how inclusive practices could be scaled and adapted within their own contexts. These sessions emphasized practical implementation and helped educators connect theory to everyday classroom realities.

The final days, led by the second hosting institution, delved deeper into inclusive teaching strategies, including the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the role of sensory integration, and how to support learners with specific learning difficulties. Participants co-designed inclusive STEAM project proposals that addressed real-world classroom challenges, focusing on accessibility, cultural diversity, and meaningful participation.

The program was enriched by meaningful reflection exercises, such as the River of Life activity, which encouraged participants to trace their personal and professional journeys toward inclusive education and clarify their goals moving forward.

In addition to the academic components, participants enjoyed cultural experiences including a guided walking tour of Old Nicosia and a traditional Cypriot dinner at one of the city’s most beloved taverns. These social moments fostered deeper connections and cross-cultural understanding.

The Cyprus mobility proved to be a powerful step in advancing the goals of the SpicE project: to promote inclusive, inquiry-based STEAM education that reaches every learner. Participants left with new tools, meaningful partnerships, and a renewed passion for transforming their classrooms — one inclusive practice at a time.