700
students in grades 5–8
Devbridge Foundation:STEAM for Kids
Students in grades 5–8 from regional schools explore, build and create their own STEAM projects together with the teams of the Vilnius University and Science Island STEAM centres. The goal is for more children to see themselves in science, technology and engineering.
The team with the best performance at the final event will travel to CERN – one of the world's largest particle physics research centres.
80
regional schools in the pilot programme
A trip to CERN in Switzerland for the first-place winners.
Regional schools are invited to join
The pilot programme has places for 8 schools. Register through your chosen STEAM centre by November 30.
About the initiative
Science you can touch
“STEAM for Kids” is funded by Devbridge Foundation and delivered by two experienced partners: the Vilnius University Methodological STEAM Education Centre and the Science Island Kaunas STEAM Centre.
Students get to know science not through stories but through hands-on activity: they work with real laboratory equipment, create their own products in groups and present them at a school fair. The best projects go on to a national festival, opening up further growth opportunities for their authors.
The pilot programme aims to increase students' interest in pursuing STEM careers by 30%. We will measure the change with student surveys at the beginning and end of the programme.
Who it's for
Where STEAM is hardest to reach
For students
For students in grades 5–8 from schools far from Lithuania's major cities. This is the age when an interest in science most often either sparks or fades.
For schools and teachers
Teachers lead activities together with STEAM centre educators and learn along the way. The school receives equipment and is invited to collaborate with neighbouring schools.
How it works
Five steps – from the first experiment to the international stage
- 01
Introduction to STEAM
Registration is open until November 30, 2026.The Vilnius team comes to the school with a mobile STEAM laboratory. Students in the Science Island programme visit the Kaunas STEAM Centre laboratories, with transport organised by us. Educators lead hands-on research activities, assisted by teachers.
- 02
Action at school
December 2026 – April 2027Students work in groups of 4 to create their own STEAM products and projects. The equipment and learning kits stay at the school, and teachers receive ongoing consultations from the STEAM centre.
- 03
School STEAM fair
All projects are presented at a school fair. Teachers and the STEAM centre team select the best ones, assessing creativity, learning progress and the technical solution.
- 04
National STEAM festival at Science Island
May 27, 2027The best projects from all 8 schools come together in Kaunas. The team behind the most innovative project wins a trip to CERN.
- 05
Future accelerator
Authors of outstanding projects have a path forward: Vilnius University distance-learning schools, national competitions and the chance to apply for international science project competitions.
Two ways to join
Choose the format that suits you
The programme runs in two formats. Register with the partner whose format suits your school best.
Mobile STEAM laboratories at Vilnius University
- A STEAM centre educator comes to your school and leads hands-on research activities
- A case of laboratory equipment stays at the school for 6 weeks for student projects and lessons
- The school coordinator receives guidance from a STEAM centre specialist
Hands-on STEAM activities at Science Island
- Students visit the Science Island laboratories, up to 40 students at a time, for 4-hour sessions; transport is organised by us
- The school receives basic learning kits, and educators help put existing equipment to use
- A 6-module distance programme: 2 hours of sessions for students and 1 hour of consultations for teachers every week
- Authors of the best projects are invited to the national festival
Grand prize
A trip to CERN
The student team that creates the most interesting, innovative and technologically strong project will be awarded a trip to CERN – the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland, one of the world's leading particle physics research centres – at the national festival.
Partners
Delivered by
Funded by Devbridge Foundation. The initiative contributes to the foundation's focus areas: access to innovative knowledge and youth entrepreneurship.
