During August 17-21, 2026, the Satu Mare County Intercommunity Development Association hosted the STEM camp organized within the project “STEMLab Synergy: Shaping future skills in Romanian and Ukrainian Schools” (ROUA00153). Dozens of students and teachers from the two neighboring countries participated in an intensive STEM skills development program and cultural, social and relaxation events. The camp participants were selected following a STEM project competition held on both sides of the border. The project aims to eliminate cultural barriers and prepare the young generation for the challenges of the global labor market, using the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) methodology as a bridge.
The camp agenda was strategically designed to combine theory with practical applicability, offering participants access to a series of intensive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workshops. During these applied sessions, students were introduced to the fundamental fields of modern technology: robotics, 3D design, robot assembly. These workshops developed the digital skills of the participating students and directly stimulated their critical thinking, creativity and capacity for technological innovation in teams. On the penultimate day of the camp, students had the opportunity to present their projects and prototypes made within the STEM competition held in Satu Mare County and Zakarpattya region. The camp program also included cultural, social and relaxation activities. Thus, on the first day, participants discovered the history of the city of Satu Mare through an interactive exploration game, and on the following two days, nature outings were organized.
STEMLab Synergy: Shaping Future Skills in Romanian and Ukrainian Schools is implemented with the financial support of the European Union through the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme. The Intercommunity Development Association Satu Mare County is a partner in this project, alongside the Association of Project Managers “YADRO” (lead) and the Uzhhorod National University (Ukraine). The general objective of the project is to improve the quality and relevance of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in secondary schools from Satu Mare County (RO) and the Transcarpathian Region (UA), reduce the gap between education and the labour market, and strengthen cross-border cooperation in education.Within the project, 3 STEM laboratories will be equipped at the following schools in Satu Mare County:Bârsău de Sus Secondary School,“Mihai Viteazu” Secondary School, Moftinu Mic, “George Barițiu” Technological High School, Livada. The project has a total budget of 444,405.86 EUR and a duration of 18 months, starting in May 2025.
This material was created with the support of the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of the Satu Mare County Intercommunity Development Association and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the management structures of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme.
