Within the framework of the European project SpicE Academy an Exchange Program took place last week, bringing together 48 teachers from Spain, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Greece. This initiative aimed to enhance professional development in STEAM education and inclusive teaching practices, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration among educators from different European countries.

The Exchange Program is a key component of the SpicE project, which focuses on equipping educators with the necessary skills and expertise to implement inclusive STEAM projects effectively.

During the past week, participants attended an intensive six-day training in Spain, hosted by the University of Alicante (UA) with the collaboration of the University of Macedonia (UOM) in delivering part of the training program. This session is part of a broader initiative that also includes a second exchange program in Cyprus, delivered by the University of Cyprus (UCY) and Trakia University (TUNI). Each training session consists of 36 hours of instruction, totaling 75 hours across both programs, allowing participants to earn 3 ECTS credits upon completion.

The event took place across four venues of the University of Alicante: the Faculty of Education, the University Headquarters in La Nucía, the San Fernando Headquarters, and the City of Alicante Headquarters, providing a dynamic and diverse academic environment. One of the most special moments of the training was the visit from children from CEIP Aigües, who organized a gamification experience, offering participants the opportunity to interact and learn from an innovative perspective.

Throughout the training sessions, group work and cultural exchanges were a daily feature, creating the perfect space and time to share experiences among all participating countries. In addition to the training hours, each day included social activities designed to foster camaraderie and a deeper understanding of the local environment. Highlights included a visit to the historic center of San Vicente del Raspeig, a tasting of churros with chocolate, a tour of La Nucía’s historic center with a panoramic walk, a lunch at Poniente restaurant in Alicante’s port, and a visit to the city center of Alicante. These activities not only strengthened professional ties among participants but also allowed them to immerse themselves in the cultural and gastronomic richness of the region, making this experience a true academic and cultural exchange.

The exchange program facilitated not only the acquisition of new methodologies and strategies in STEAM education but also the creation of a strong professional network among educators from different cultural and educational backgrounds. The collaborative nature of this initiative is expected to contribute to the improvement of inclusive education policies and STEAM methodology practices across Europe, making SpicE a benchmark project for teacher training in Special Education.