SCIFine Project

AGSE is a partner in the project. SCIFine – Scientific Capacity through Inquiry for Foundational Impact and Networked Engagement, funded by Erasmus+ Programme, within the scope of the action Forward-Looking Projects School Education and coordinated by Mentortec.

Given the increasing importance of integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills into the early stages of education in European education systems, this project aims to promote scientific literacy and the development of STEM skills from preschool to the first cycle of basic education. It focuses on empowering educators and teachers to implement more effective pedagogical practices in science and mathematics, contributing to improved student performance, strengthening basic literacy from the earliest stages of education, and raising awareness of this issue among school principals.

The project consortium, composed of 27 members from higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, schools, and public entities... Portugal, from the Croatia and from Slovenia, held its first in-person meeting in Matosinhos, on the 5th and 6th of this month of May. In Portugal, in addition to Mentortec, the following are also participating: Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, a AGSE of Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) and the INNOVEDU. The Agency for the Management of the Education System (AGSE) was represented by Dr. Lília Vicente and Dr. Fernando Alexandre, from the Human Resources Department and the CFAE Network.

The consortium will collaborate in creating a network of scientific schools, promoting knowledge sharing and cooperation between the educational community and science experts, in order to contribute to increasing children's motivation, engagement, and performance in STEM fields.

To this end, it is important to strengthen the skills of school principals and other education professionals and to provide innovative pedagogical resources in order to combat inequalities in access to quality educational practices and resources, as well as to promote the strengthening of the link between schools and the community through the creation of hubs regional STEM.