STEM Ideas Without Borders: Students from Ukraine and Romania Took Part in an International Camp in Satu Mare

On August 17–21, 2026, the international camp “Project Ideas Laboratory: Innovations for a Sustainable Future” was held in the city of Satu Mare (Romania), organized within the framework of the cross-border project “STEMLab Synergy: Developing Future Skills in Ukrainian and Romanian Schools” (ROUA00153).

The event brought together students and educators from Ukraine and Romania around a common goal – to develop STEM competencies, teamwork, creative thinking, and the ability to transform ideas into practical project solutions. The camp became one of the important stages in the implementation of the international initiative, of which Uzhhorod National University is a partner.

The camp program combined educational STEM laboratories, practical workshops, student project presentations, team-building activities, and a cultural program. On the first day, participants got acquainted with the camp program, took part in the “Treasure Hunt” quest through the streets of Satu Mare and team activities that helped form international teams.

STEM laboratories occupied a central place in the program. During the four educational days, participants worked in the format of practical classes and workshops. This created an opportunity not only to gain new knowledge, but also to apply it during teamwork and the development of their own project ideas.

An important part of the camp was activities outside the laboratory. Participants joined team challenges at Luna Șes Adventure Park and visited Acqua Park Satu Mare. Such activities were aimed at developing interaction, communication, trust, and team cohesion – competencies that are an integral part of modern STEM education.

The culmination of the educational part was the presentation of projects developed by students during the STEM competition. Participants had the opportunity to present the results of their work, share ideas, and demonstrate how scientific knowledge, technology, an engineering approach, and creativity can be combined to find solutions to current problems. This approach is one of the key principles of the “STEMLab Synergy” project – moving away from exclusively theoretical learning of material and creating conditions in which school students learn through research, experimentation, teamwork, and the implementation of their own ideas.

For Uzhhorod National University, participation in such a format of international cooperation is an important opportunity to disseminate modern educational practices and strengthen interaction between the university, schools, educators, and students. Within the framework of “STEMLab Synergy,” UzhNU is developing as a STEM hub for secondary education institutions in Zakarpattia.

The international camp in Satu Mare became a continuation of the active cooperation between the Ukrainian and Romanian project partners. Such meetings not only establish professional connections between educators from the two countries, but also create a space for direct communication among school students, joint creativity, and the exchange of ideas. It is precisely these skills that “STEMLab Synergy” is designed to develop – a project that brings together educators, students, and partner organizations from Ukraine and Romania to create a modern, open, and innovative educational environment.

Information prepared by project trainer Myroslava Demchynska

The publication was prepared with the support of the European Union. Uzhhorod National University bears sole responsibility for the content of this material, and it does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the management structures of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme.