STEM Education Without Borders: Educators from Zakarpattia Learned from Their Romanian Colleagues in Satu Mare
The “STEMLab Synergy” project (ROUA00153) is funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT Romania-Ukraine 2021-2027 program. Its mission is to create a network of modern STEM laboratories and train educators capable of nurturing a generation of innovators ready for the challenges of the digital economy.
From April 22 to 24, 2026, a landmark study visit for trainers from Zakarpattia took place in Satu Mare County (Romania). The event took place as part of the project “STEMLab Synergy: Building Skills for the Future in Ukrainian and Romanian Schools” (ROUA00153), which aims to transform the educational process and introduce cutting-edge technologies into educational institutions in both countries. This visit is not just an exchange of experience; it is about building synergy between our communities for the future success of students in both countries.
On April 23, 2026, the event took place in the commune of Moftin and the municipality of Carei. The main topic of the meeting was the transition from traditional teaching methods to STEM education. Participants had the opportunity to see how an integrated approach to the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is changing students’ perception of learning. During a visit to the “Mihai Viteazu” High School (Moftinu-Mic), participants explored the process of educational transformation—the shift from traditional approaches to integrated STEM education.
At the “Simion Bărnuțiu” Technical High School (Carei), educators familiarized themselves with the work of a modern STEM engineering laboratory, where the focus is on technical creativity and modeling. This visit demonstrated the importance of practical training and the use of modern equipment for developing young people’s technical skills. In addition to the educational component, participants visited Carei Castle, which helped strengthen cultural ties and provided a better understanding of the historical context of the partner region.
On April 24, 2026, the visits continued directly in the municipality of Satu Mare, where the most technologically advanced facilities were showcased. At the “Mircea Eliade” High School, the use of VR headsets and software to immerse students in the learning material was demonstrated. The virtual reality (VR) lab at the “Mircea Eliade” High School impressed with its immersive learning capabilities. The multitouch lab at the “Mihai Eminescu” College showcased the latest interactive tools for collaborative work.
A modern STEM chemistry lab was presented at Doamna Stanca College, and Ioan Slavici College served as the final stop of the exchange, where a robotics class was held, demonstrating a high level of integration between theory and experimentation.
Ukrainian trainers gained a comprehensive understanding of how their Romanian colleagues combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills in IT, engineering, and the natural sciences. The experience gained will be used to implement similar innovations in Ukrainian partner schools participating in the project.
