Gabrielė Stupurienė
Vilnius university, Vilnius
The demand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills has been consistently increasing due to technological advancements and globalization, making STE(A)M education and teacher training a critical priority. Although many national and international initiatives have been implemented to strengthen STE(A)M education and raise the attractiveness of the teaching profession, a shortage of teachers in general, and STE(A)M teachers in particular, is still evident across Europe. What challenges do teachers face, and what motivates them? Research shows that the practical application of competence development initiatives significantly motivates STEM teachers, emphasizing the importance of aligning professional development with classroom implementation. The professional development program, developed by an international consortium of researchers and practitioners, will be presented. A practical handbook and examples of STEAM practical good practices will also be presented to share international experience.