1 Congreso STEAM
Institution
Fundación Ibercaja
Institution Typology
Other
Country
Spain
Stakeholders involved
- Foundations
- STEAM-Releated businesses
- Educational Centres
- Students, teachers
Summary
From February 6 to 8, 2025, the first congress in Spain dedicated to celebrating STEAM subjects and inspiring vocations in these areas—crucial for both the national and European economy—was held. With a variety of activities for audiences of all ages, the initiative brought together stakeholders from diverse sectors in a unique celebration of the importance of these fields of knowledge for society, offering co-creation spaces for everyone involved.
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES
Problem addressed or learning needs
The congress primarily focused on how to inspire STEAM vocations from an early age through the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. In particular, it aimed to foster interest in STEAM among women, a group that has traditionally faced barriers to access in these fields. In relation to the activities with school students, a series of workshops and experiments were conducted, each linked to one of the STEAM disciplines, with the aim of sparking interest through fun and engaging learning experiences.
Types of enhanced competences
Beyond the skills gained through the activities and talks—aimed at developing competencies related to STEAM and coding—the primary goal of the congress was to inspire future generations, making them aware of the existence of open and achievable career paths for them.
METHODS, STRATEGIES AND TOOLS
Subjects involved
Technologies\Engineering, Math, Arts
Duration and timeline of implementation
The congress spanned three days and took place in a venue well-suited for such events, featuring multiple areas to host simultaneous activities.
Strategies and activities
- Workshops, talks, exhibitions, and more.
Material Sources
Throughout the congress, a wide range of materials was used—from everyday items to advanced technologies—designed to teach coding and STEAM subjects in diverse ways, always with the goal of inspiring future generations. In this regard, many of the invited participants were given the freedom to deliver key messages in the way they felt best suited their style and expertise.
Methodology
Team Work, Cooperative Learning, Case Studies, Digital Storytelling
IMPACT AND RESULTS
Impact
- Among the attendees, more than 500 first- and second-year secondary school students stood out for their active participation in the various activities held throughout the event.
Observed Benefits
The benefit of the activities carried out was to showcase the fun side of STEAM subjects and coding, encouraging students to continue learning and explore the topics further. Additionally, the diversity of the contributions highlighted the openness of these fields to people from a wide range of backgrounds, serving as a powerful source of inspiration.
Challenges Faced
The main challenges likely lay in organizing an event of such scale and impact, ensuring that the full experience and expertise of the invited specialists were optimized throughout the congress to create inspiring and truly unique sessions at a national level.
LESSONS LEARNT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Key Success Factors
The key success factor was that it set a precedent for similar events in the near future, as mentioned in a previous section. Its smooth execution, effective outreach campaign, and strong attendance demonstrated not only the demand but also the need for initiatives that make these fields of knowledge accessible to the general public—especially to future generations.
Future Improvements
Above all, the structure of the event and its formats are aspects that could be replicated in future initiatives. Having the congress as a reference shows that not only is it feasible, but it can also be highly successful and effectively meet its stated objectives.
Recommendations
The main recommendation from this event—unique in Spain’s history—is that new formats are essential to promote the opportunities available within the fields of STEAM and coding. Additionally, bringing together representatives from different sectors effectively showcases potential career paths and creates valuable opportunities for co-creation and networking among participants.
