Development Lab: A professional development programme for highly-effective STEAM events

<< Background >>The main aim of the project was to explore how activities usually used in non-formal education can be adjusted to the formal education and provide meaningful experience and knowledge in STEAM subjects, as well as to provide the critical knowledge to educators in STEAM education with the necessary knowledge and experience to run STEAM activities using Design Thinking/Sprint and Challenge Based Learning methodologies.<< Objectives >>The objectives of the project were:O1: To explore how Design Sprint and CBL methodologies can be applied in non-formal STEAM education for students in formal education.O2: To develop a comprehensive training Handbook (aka Professional development programme) for educators on nonformal STEAM education using Design Sprint and CBL methodologies to implement high-effective STEAM events.O3: To implement dissemination activities and promote innovative teaching methodologies in STEAM education.<< Implementation >>1. Partner meetings (A7-8)2. Development of materials (A2)3. Local workshops (A3-4)4. Makeathons (A5-6) in Lithuania and Croatia5. Project management (A1)<< Results >>The project developed the following outputs1. Teacher's book which presents theoretical support and guidance for implementation of STEAM activities, describing themes such as STEAM, Challenge based learning, Design thinking and design sprint methodologies, Sustainable development goals, public speaking, and steps of implementing makeathons.2. Step-by-Step activities guide for teachers and educators. This comprehensive guide is tailored to empower educators in integrating design thinking/sprint principles into their teaching practices to address real-world challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.3. Resource packs on Sustainable development goals, guidelines how to organise and implement makeathons at schools and recommendation how to pitch developed idea (public speaking).4. Project's website - https://developmentlab.steamproject.eu - was developed as open education resource for educators and teachers. The website includes idea bank where all interested stakeholders can upload developed ideas during organised makeathons outside the project's frames.