The 4th Symposium - Conference: Logo-like Environments and STEM Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, held on February 22 & 23, 2025, at the Informatics Laboratory of the Department of Primary Education at NKUA, served as a significant forum for dialogue and knowledge exchange on emerging technologies and innovative teaching practices in education. With a focus on the integration of technology in learning, participants had the opportunity to engage with distinguished scientists presenting modern approaches and applications of educational technologies, artificial intelligence, and STEM education. Of particular interest were the presentations on the role of Innovation Centers, a key initiative aimed at transforming the educational landscape through technology, experiential learning, and contemporary pedagogical approaches. The discussions highlighted how these centers function as spaces for research, experimentation, and collaboration between students and educators.
Key Presentations
- Professor Anastasios Mikropoulos (University of Ioannina, Member of the Scientific Committee of Innovation Centers) delivered a talk titled "Implementing a STEM Educational Scenario in Innovation Centers." His presentation emphasized the importance of XR (Extended Reality) technologies in the learning process, showcasing applications and teaching scenarios that can be implemented in Innovation Centers to enrich STEM education.
- Professor Vasileios Komis (University of Patras, Member of the Scientific Committee of Innovation Centers) presented on "From the Logo Turtle to Modern Educational Robotics Environments and the Role of Innovation Centers." His talk explored the evolution of educational robotics, from the Logo programming language to contemporary robotics applications, underscoring the pivotal role of Innovation Centers in promoting computational thinking and creativity through STEM learning environments.
- Professor Zacharoula Smyrnaiou (Department of Secondary Education, NKUA, and Vice President of CTI "Diophantus") delivered a presentation on "Innovation Centers: Educational Ecosystems that Foster Creativity, Programming, and a Deeper Understanding of Technological and STEM Concepts." She elaborated on the concept of Innovation Centers as educational ecosystems, where students experiment with new technologies, develop STEM skills, and create innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
Impact and Significance
The symposium highlighted the importance of Innovation Centers as pillars of educational innovation, while the presentations contributed to the dissemination of project activities and the networking of stakeholders within the educational community.
The participation of members of the Scientific Committee of Innovation Centers in the 4th Symposium emphasized the crucial role of technology in teaching practices, as well as the potential of Innovation Centers in shaping a sustainable, modern, and innovative educational environment.