The “Open Schooling in Action: Building Lasting Partnerships for Educational Innovation” Deep Dive at Ecsite Conference 2025 brought together a diverse group of educators, researchers, museum professionals, and community actors for a dynamic, four-hour session on the future of Open Schooling in Europe.
The Open Schooling together community
The session was co-hosted by seven EU-funded projects that form part of the Open Schooling together (OSt) community, initiated by Ecsite: STE(A)M Learning Ecologies, Road-STEAMer, METEOR, CONNECT, ICSE Science Factory, Nature Around the Corner, and Make it Open. United by a shared mission, these initiatives aim to unlock the full potential of open STE(A)M education to address societal challenges through innovative, collaborative approaches that strengthen the ties between schools and society.
Exploring Open Schooling in practice
Throughout the session, participants engaged in two networking activities designed to foster dialogue and connection. A standout activity of the session was a role-based scenario exercise, which encouraged attendees to adopt various perspectives (such as school leaders, museum staff, parents, and local authorities) to collaboratively design Open Schooling initiatives rooted in real-world challenges. Conversations quickly shifted from abstract ideas to practical strategies to find solutions and overcome challenges.
A “gallery walk” featuring the seven hosting projects provided valuable opportunities to explore the practical dimensions of Open Schooling. Rather than simply presenting the outcomes of the projects, each station offered interactive experiences: tools to try, questions to consider, stories to hear.
The contribution of Ukraine
A particularly meaningful moment of the event was the contribution from the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, invited by the Road-STEAMer project to share insights into the challenges of delivering STEAM education during wartime. Their presentation offered a stark and moving account of what it means to pursue science and learning under the constraints of conflict—sometimes quite literally from within bunkers. They discussed the profound impact of war on education and highlighted the role that STEAM approaches can play in fostering resilience, continuity, and long-term recovery in communities affected by war.
Key takeaways
Participants responded with strong interest in Open Schooling as a meaningful model for education, one that is interdisciplinary, inclusive, and socially relevant. Many expressed appreciation for how these projects make room for creativity, local partnerships, and community-based learning. There was a shared belief that this is not a marginal trend, but an important and growing direction for education in Europe. This is further reinforced by current EU policy priorities, which offer hope that the movement will continue to expand. The EU STEM Education Strategic Plan, a key element of the broader Union of Skills strategy, underlines the critical role of STEM education in driving Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, and strategic autonomy. The plan strongly advocates for innovative and flexible teaching approaches that extend beyond traditional classroom settings, connecting theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.
Still, one reflection stood out during the day: “Time is the key, especially for teachers. For these projects to succeed long-term, schools need time and structural space, not as an extra-curricular burden but embedded within the curriculum.” This insight highlights a recurring theme in the Open Schooling conversation: while the potential for transformative learning is clear, lasting impact depends on systemic support, especially in ensuring that educators have the time, resources, and curricular flexibility to make Open Schooling an integral part of everyday practice.
Join the Open Schooling together (OSt) community
The session was an opportunity to share, reflect, connect, and look forward together. It marked an important step for the Open Schooling together community, and a signal that this movement is gaining clarity, depth, and momentum.
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Watch the video interviews with the seven projects that co-hosted the session to learn more about their vision and experiences.