InSSTER

InSSTER, Innovative STS (Science, Society, Technology) Education Research Centre, is a dynamic multidisciplinary research hub that brings together passionate educators and scholars from diverse fields within the field of education. Our collaborative team includes faculty members and researchers from the Department of Education at the University of Nicosia. Together, we explore the intersection of inclusive research education, science, society, and technology, with a strong emphasis on innovative and inclusive practices.

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Vision

InSSTER promotes research in education focusing on innovative and inclusive practices in Science, Society, Technology education. This involves transforming schools to cater to all children, including marginalised groups, aiming to eliminate exclusion. It also emphasises cultivating skills for global problem-solving, ensuring inclusive education, and addressing gender equality in digital skills. InSSTER aligns with the Digital Education Action Plan for comprehensive and high-quality digital instruction and training (European Commission, 2020).

Objectives

  • 1

    Conduct state-of-the-art research under the umbrella of innovative and inclusive education with links to science, society and technology;

  • 2
    Participate in competitive EU calls and receive external funding for projects
  • 3
    Establish a national and international network with relevant, researchers, schools, and policy makers;
  • 4
    Engage with society on issues related to inclusive science and technology education, and
  • 5
    Offer continuous training on skills, methodologies and technologies to its members and beyond.

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Research

The members of InSSTER are involved in funded research under the umbrella of Innovative and Inclusive education with links to science, society and technology.

  • VRnSight: “Boosting Virtual Reality Learning within Higher Business Management Education”

    • Start: 01/2018
    • End: 12/2020

    Participants
    Efi Nisiforou

    Coordinator
    Fachhochschule des Mittelstands FHM

    Ref.
    Erasmus+, KA3 Strategic Partnerships for higher education

    Budget
    292025 EUR

    Website
    https://www.vrinsight.org

    The project VRinSight aims to roll-out Virtual Reality learning in Higher Education and in the teaching of business management across Europe through a partnership between education and industry. The project runs over a 2 year period co-funded by the EU Erasmus+ program. An EU Survey of SMEs & Higher Education Institutes was conducted in an effort to understand the challenges involved in introducing VR learning techniques in business management education. The project will offer a complete VR integration guide to educators through a unique VR Training Program and accompanying VR Training Curriculum. Additionally, the project offers a comprehensive Green Paper on Virtual Reality Teaching & Learning giving educators, business and policy makers across Europe an insight on how VR technology can be embraced.

  • INFINITE “artIficial iNtelligence For professIonal aNd pedagogIcal pracTices in Higher Education”

    • Start: 01/2023
    • End: 12/2026

    Local Principal Investigator
    Efi Nisiforou

    Coordinator
    University of Groningen, Netherlands

    Ref.
    ERASMUS +, Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

    Budget
    400000 EUR

    Agreement No.
    2023-1-NL01-KA220-HED-000155675

    Website
    https://infinite-erasmus.eu/

    INFINITE project aims to optimize the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education (HE), focusing on teaching, learning, and assessment. It seeks to prepare academics to employ AI for innovative teaching and assessment methods while helping students understand its interdisciplinary implications. Additionally, the project aims to equip students with the skills to utilize AI for learning through a tailored blended course. Ultimately, INFINITE aims to address skills mismatches and enhance learners' forward-thinking abilities for the future workforce and society. Its objectives include raising awareness about AI's potential and challenges, providing practical resources for HE academics, enhancing digital competences, and promoting the digital transformation of higher education institutions.

  • Up-STEAM:Upskilling Prospect Teachers in STEAM for elevating out of school learning for all

    • Start: 11/2023
    • End: 10/2025

    Local Principal Investigator
    Maria Evagorou

    Participants
    Agni Stylianou Georgiou

    Ref.
    KA2, Erasmus+

    Budget
    400000 EUR

    The Up-sTEAm project aims to provide university students studying to become teachers and/or science communicators with the skills and knowledge necessary to design effective and meaningful STEAM activities for non-formal learning contexts that are appropriate and adapted to school pupils’ needs and particularities. The goal is to increase access to non-formal STEAM education for these students.  

  • NBS4S: Empowering students to act for climate through Nature Based Solutions

    • Start: 12/2023
    • End: 11/2025

    Ref.
    KA2, Erasmus+

    Budget
    400000 EUR

    Agreement No.
    KA220-BW-23-36-156685

    NBS4School aims to introduce the concept of Nature-based-Solutions as an educational tool to support climate change education. NBS is gaining more ground as a methodology to solve real life challenges caused by climate change. At the same time, it has high innovative potential as a teaching tool. By combining the concept with effective and modern pedagogical methods like Citizen Science, NBS4School aims to train teachers to educate the students of the future.