As part of the dissemination activities of the Innovation Centers project, a scientific paper was presented at the international conference Constructionism 2025, held in Switzerland. The paper was authored by the Project’s Scientific Coordinator, Prof. Zacharoula Smyrnaiou and Dr. Konstantina Kotsari.
Entitled “Shaping the Future: Greece’s Innovation Centers as Hubs for Sustainable Practices in Constructionist Education”, the paper was part of the thematic track Sustainable Practices in Constructionist Education and highlighted the contribution of the Innovation Centers to advancing constructionist learning approaches, with an emphasis on sustainability.
The presentation focused on how the Innovation Centers function as dynamic learning and collaboration ecosystems, connecting schools, local communities, universities, and businesses. Special emphasis was placed on the pedagogical use of cutting-edge technologies – such as Extended Reality (XR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Robotics – to create experiential learning environments that foster environmental awareness and innovation. The paper also discussed key pedagogical practices implemented within the Centers, such as eco-friendly maker spaces and sustainability-themed STEM modules, while also addressing the challenges of teacher training and the integration of these practices into formal curricula.
Participation in Constructionism 2025 provided a valuable opportunity to present the project to an international academic audience and reaffirms the innovative and pedagogically significant role of the Innovation Centers.
More information about the conference is available on the official website:
https://constructionism2025.inf.ethz.ch