Ecological Making in Intercultural Cooperation trough STEAM
VISION
EMIC-STEAM aims to integrate MAKER educational spaces in schools as an important learning environment for education and sustainable development (ESD) in the field of environmental education, as well as the development of intercultural and foreign language skills. The pedagogical concept to be developed is based on the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach, thus combining the didactics of the foreign language, English, with those of the subjects involved: biology, geography and art.
Latest News
UpcylceLab at the Local Highschool
As part of the ERASMUS+ EMIC STEAM project, the workshop “UpcycleLab: From Waste to Art” was held at Carlos Amarate Highschool, led by researcher Eva Fernandes from the University of Minho, Daniel Rosa, currently undertaking an internship at the school. The activity took place in the School Library’s Makerspace and was marked by remarkable student engagement, with participants showing great collaboration and commitment.
During the workshop, students were challenged to transform reusable materials into genuine artistic creations, exploring new ways to give life to what would normally be considered waste. The participants repurposed materials with creativity and environmental awareness, reflecting a genuine commitment to the preservation of our planet.
The results were impressive: unique pieces full of originality and inventive spirit, highlighting the students’ dedication to sustainability and art. In the end, each group had the opportunity to present their creations and explain their design and experimentation process — a moment of shared learning and collective inspiration.
Teacher Training seminar at PH Weingarten
At the beginning of the second EMIC STEAM teacher training seminar at PH Weingarten, students worked on a criteria-based cardboard design for a handbag in a workshop. For most of them, this was their first encounter with the concept of making, and therefore an important basis of experience for the later design of making teaching concepts. The learning and fun factor was high and the results were impressive.
Pupils and teachers really appreciated working with the MMB. They particularly appreciated being able to make their own decisions during the making phase. However, teachers in particular still see challenges that need to be overcome, such as time management, task setting, etc.
Presenting EMIC STEAM at the World CLIL Conference 2025
In June, Moritz Wagner presented our project EMIC STEAM at the WORLD CLIL Conference in Maynooth, Ireland. The conference brought together educators and researchers from around the world to exchange ideas on innovative Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) practices.
Our presentation focused on developing a CLIL approach that integrates interdisciplinary maker education and education for sustainable development. Fostering creativity, collaboration and multilingual learning for a sustainable future.
Visualizing the Journey of a T-Shirt using Interactive Maps
With the help of the cooperating teachers EMIC STEAM researchers and student teachers from Weingarten University of Education implemented the first Mobile Maker Box (MMB) in the cooperating school in Ravensburg in July 2025.
The challenge was to „Find a creative way to show and inform about this process and make it engaging for your peers.“ As as result some groups developed the journey of a T-shirt and visualised it with the help of an interactive map and LEDs.
Pupils and teachers really appreciated working with the MMB. They particularly appreciated being able to make their own decisions during the making phase. However, teachers in particular still see challenges that need to be overcome, such as time management, task setting, etc.
EMIC STEAM Congress of the German Society for Foreign Languages Didatics
Ute Massler and Moritz Wagner gave the first presentation on EMIC STEAM at the Congress of the German Society for Foreign Language Didactics in Kassel on 27 September 2025. The audience responded very positively, particularly impressed by the combination of CLIL and sustainability topics and the integration of international cooperation. They Illustrated the teaching concept and explained the different phases in Detail.
EMIC STEAM Participates in the European Researchers Night
The Portuguese EMIC-STEAM team participated in the European Researchers‘ Night raising awareness on the topic of fast fashion and carried out a workshop on this theme.
The workshop provided a great forum to present and discuss the Emic Steam approach.
Students and teachers were challenged to work together to create a fashion accessory using leftover materials and various second-hand items. They were extremely engaged and participated actively throughout the whole event. Students learnt more about the social and environmental impacts of the contemporary fashion industry, its fast-cycling trends and clothing lines that perpetuate feelings of renewal, encouraging us to buy more.
Teachers got an insight how to address these issues through Making and collaborative, hands-on approaches that stimulate design thinking, creativity and empathy.
The results were amazingly creative!
MAKING
In the EMIC STEAM project, Making is a creative, hands-on approach to learning where students actively engage in developing solutions to real-world challenges. It blends technical, artistic, and social perspectives and encourages learners to prototype, build, test, and reflect—whether through physical creations, digital tools, or mixed formats. Making isn’t just about crafting objects; it’s about fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving through purposeful creation. Rooted in the principles of design thinking and project-based learning, Making empowers students to become inventors, designers, and changemakers.
