ESIA

DISCOVERY SPACE International Course 2025

6 - 11 July 2025

The course is accredited by the University of Bayreuth and endorsed by the European Physical Society and the Institute of Communications and Computer Systems of the National Technical University of Athens. 

The course is part of the Discovery Space project, which is an Erasmus+ FLP. The course’s main goal is to introduce participants to the concept of the AI-enhanced Deeper Learning Classroom in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). STEM learning is of fundamental importance as it provides the means to understand the working principles of current and future technological advancements, which emerge through state-of-the-art scientific research. On top of that, artificial intelligence is already revolutionizing different scientific fields and is expected to have a significant impact on education. The pillars of the Deeper Learning Classroom for STEM are inquiry-based and problem-based learning, while an AI conversational agent will play a crucial role, as it will provide students with feedback addressing their specific needs and misconceptions. Teachers will need to develop new competencies and reevaluate their goals, so that they can offer the most to their students. Teacher’s competences in the AI era involve teaching with, for and about AI, while for the purposes of the Discovery Space we are mainly focusing on the former domain of competencies. The course participants will have the opportunity to learn about the way that AI can be used as an add-on tool by the teacher for the STEM subjects.  The participants will have the opportunity to hear about different subjects, including among others:  

  • The implementation of inquiry-based learning and problem-based learning through the development of pedagogical scenarios which have been structured accordingly and are also including the use of virtual and remote laboratories. 
  • Personalized learning which can be achieved by introducing AI in the educational process, as it will design and deliver different tasks to the students according to their performances. 
  • Technical aspects such as the different kinds of AI with a brief explanation of each, a step-by-step guide on how to use the authoring tool in order to create and upload a scenario, details on the development and the use of the AI conversational agent. 

Moreover, it will be discussed how the development of an accountable and trustworthy AI system can be ensured, and which are the main steps to that end. Specific examples from the implementation of AI systems in the educational process will be presented. The goal is to increase the confidence of teachers towards the use of AI systems and their outcomes. 

The course is organized in collaboration with the FAITH initiative

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Description

Discovery Space is shaping a learning experience centered around inquiry-based learning, supported by an AI-Lifelong Learning Companion and complemented by immersive AR and VR interfaces. The course aims to introduce the Deeper Learning Classroom for STEM, which will foster students’ curiosity and critical thinking, develop their problem-solving skills and allow them to conduct experiments, while they’ll actively participate in inquiry-driven activities, guided within personalized learning paths, designed by the AI agent.  

Who should attend

The course is designed for middle and high school teachers, from the field of STEM and for graduate students who wish to pursue a career as science and math teachers. 

Speakers

  • Prof. Dr. Franz X. Bogner, University of Bayreuth, Director of the SYNAPSES Academy: With a PhD in neurobiology and a habilitation in Biology Education as well as a post-doctoral fellowship at the Cornell University (USA), Prof. Bogner’s teaching mainly includes in pre-service teacher education modules and in-service teacher enhancement. Prof. Bogner’s research has a more than two decades’ tradition in cognitive (and emotional/ attitudinal) assessment, psychometric instrument development and pedagogical/curricular framework design.
  • Dr. Cathérine Conradty, University of Bayreuth. Combining her expertise in biology with a PhD in Science Education, she is deeply interested in exploring self-efficacy, particularly its development and impact through creativity. Her specialty is promoting species knowledge through art, inspiring awareness, and action in her field. Driven by a vision for a sustainable and collaborative society, she coordinates EU projects in the University of Bayreuth team. 
  • Dr. Rosa Doran, NUCLIO: Head of the Galileo Teachers Training Programme, Community Builder and key Innovator in the field of Education. Her main field of engagement and research is the empowerment of educators and the transformation of schools towards the adoption of innovative models for digital and inclusive education.
  • Prof. Dr. Dimitris Apostolou, Informatics Department of the University of Piraeus and Senior Research Scientist at the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems, National Technical University of Athens. His research concerns decision support and intelligent systems. His professional experience focuses on the design and management of large-scale IT projects. He has coordinated several EU-funded research and innovation projects and participated in more than twenty ones. He has more than 50 publications in journals such as IEEE Intelligent Systems, International Journal of Information Management, Expert Systems with Application, Journal of Knowledge Management, Internet Research, more than 60 publications in conference proceedings and one book published by Springer-Verlag. He holds a PhD on electrical and computer engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, an MSc in information technology from University College London, UK, an MSc in chemical engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA, and a Diploma Degree in chemical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens. He is a member of the ΙΕΕΕ Computer Society and various national scientific and professional associations. 
  • Dr. Evangelia Anagnostopoulou, Senior Researcher, Institute of Communications and Computer Systems, National Technical University of Athens. Her research interests include AI in education, recommendation systems, persuasion, and personalization systems. She has been working on several R&D projects. She holds a PhD in personalized persuasive technologies for behavioral change from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), an MSc in Medical Informatics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Diploma degree in Informatics and Telecommunications from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. 
  • Mr. Nikolaos Antonios Grammatikos, Ph.D. candidate, University of Piraeus & Institute of Communications and Computer Systems, National Technical University of Athens. He holds a BSc and an MSc degree in data science from the Department of Informatics of the University of Piraeus. His thesis is on Graph and Network Analytics entitled Citation Network Analysis. Nikolaos has worked as a software engineer, mainly addressing issues in the banking sector and developing webapps, for business needs. His current research interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science. 
  • Dr. Asimina Kontogeorgiou, Physicist. Holds an MSc degree and a PhD in the Didactics of Physics.  She was an appointed School Counsellor in Secondary Education for sixteen years. Currently, she is studying Psychology and believes in supporting a teacher’s work in the classroom through AI. 
  • Mr. Adam Doulgerakis, Athens Technology Center (ATC), R&D Project Manager in ATC’s Innovation Lab. He is a competent Project and Technical Manager, experienced in the implementation and management of national and EU-funded ICT research and development projects. He is familiar with a broad range of technologies combining computer science, design and managerial expertise. He has a background in the design and implementation of ICT projects in the areas of Health, Education, Cultural Heritage, Civil Protection, Earth Observation and Security and his research interests include Computational Design, Simulation & Modelling, Interactive Immersive Environments, Spatial Cognition, Spatial Analysis, Gamification, Serious Games and Digital Twins. He holds an MSc in Adaptive Architecture and Computation, awarded with distinction from University College London, and has received his Diploma from the School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens. 
  • Mr. Manolis Chaniotakis, Phyisicist with MSc in Nuclear and Particle Physics (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Department of Physics) and a PhD Candidate in Science Education (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Department of Educational Studies).  Since 2015 he works as a researcher/project manager in the RnD Department of Ellinogermaniki Agogi School in Greece, focusing on the development, piloting and evaluation of inquiry based educational activities, organization of outreach events as well as teacher training and support in Physics with specific focus on modern Physics.  Since 2021 he is responsible for the Ellinogermaniki Agogi School Observatory with main responsibility the organization and implementation of education and outreach activities for teachers, students and general public. 
  • Dr. Dimitris Koulentianos, Physicist, Research & Development Department, Ellinogermaniki Agogi. Holds a Ph.D. degree in Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics. He has worked as a postdoctoral researcher in USA and Germany. His research interests focus on the integration of AI in the educational process, as well as in the development of a trustworthiness assessment framework to manage and mitigate the risks associated with the use of AI in education. 
  • Dr. Sofoklis Sotiriou, Ellinogermaniki Agogi: Director of the Ellinogermaniki Agogi Center for Science Teachers Training. His main research field is the design, application, and evaluation of digital media environments that could bridge the gap between formal and informal science learning. He has been involved in a long series of EC joint research and technology funded projects.

Fees & Funding

Course fee

The course fee for all ESIA Summer Schools is 480€ (80€/per day) and fully within the funding opportunities of the Erasmus+ Programme.

The course fee covers:

  • Expert lecturers for lectures, seminars and workshops
  • All materials and equipment needed for the course
  • Participation in the social programme & excursions (e.g. Sunset and dinner at Cape Sounio, excursion to the Acropolis and visit to the Acropolis Museum and dinner in downtown Athens, traditional night and farewell dinner, etc.)

Subsistence & accommodation

The Summer School will be held at Golden Coast Hotel & Bungalows, an A-class/ 4-star sea-side hotel which stretches on the golden, sandy beach of the Marathon Bay, near the historic location of Marathon, at the outskirts of Athens.

ESIA has made special arrangement with the hotel and are happy to offer to all participants a single or double room with all-inclusive services (i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and free of charge services for outdoors sports and recreational activities).

The costs for subsistence are also within the ceilings of the Erasmus+ programme for KA1 mobility actions.

 

ACCOMMODATION AT GOLDEN COAST HOTEL 2025 (Indicative prices)

COST FOR THE PARTICIPANTS (All Inclusive)

  • Per person in SINGLE:  140 €/per night
  • Per person in DOUBLE:  98 €/per night

Extra persons (All Inclusive)

  • TRIPLE room: 88 €/per person/per night

 

EXTRA SERVICES (the following refers to other project participants that don’t pay the course fee)

TOURS & EXCURSIONS

Cape Sounio Tour (Price:  100 €/per person)
Monday @ 18:00
Includes:

    • Transport by bus (Golden Coast – Cape Sounio – Golden Coast)
    • Guided tour of Poseidon temple with Professional and Lisensed guide
    • Entrance fees of the Temple of Poseidon
    • Lunch at local tavern
    • All taxes

 

Athens tour & Acropolis Museum (Price: 120 €/per person)
Wednesday @ 16:00
Includes:

    • Transport by bus (Golden Coast – Athens – Golden Coast)
    • Short panoramic tour by bus of historic center of Athens
    • Services of a Professional and licensed guide
    • Entrance fees of Acropolis museum
    • Lunch at local tavern
    • All taxes

+ Entrance fees to the Acropolis Archaeological Site ticket cost of 30 €/per person.
+ Entrance fees to the Sounio Archaeological Site ticket cost of 20 €/per person.

*** The above prices are calculated based on current costs, tickets to museums / archeological sites, fuel cost, VAT

Venue

The Summer School will be held at Golden Coast Hotel & Bungalows, an A-class/ 4-star sea-side hotel which stretches on the golden, sandy beach of the Marathon Bay, near the historic location of Marathon, at the outskirts of Athens.

It is the area of Marathon, that has hosted since the times of myths when Theseus killed the terrible bull of Marathon, to the times of the Persian wars and the Battle of Marathon, further on to our days and the marathon race and Marathon Run, the emblematic symbol of man’s quest for freedom and the will to defend his most noble deeds which constitute the foundations of the Human civilization. The plethora of natural, historical sites and museums of the area reveal in all details this unique historical voyage.

Participants are expected to arrive through the Athens International Airport, approximately 25 km (15,53 miles) distance from the hotel.

Learn More…

Erasmus+ - How to Apply

School Heads and Teachers participation in the summer courses can be funded by the ERASMUS+ Programme.

In case your school or organization does not have the funds to cover the costs of your participation in the Summer School, there is another option: you can apply to be funded by by the ERASMUS+ Programme.

Please note that the Erasmus+ KA1 application can only be submitted by the school or the organization – no individual applications can be submitted.

The deadline for application is February 19, 2025.

What is ERASMUS+?

Erasmus+ is the European Commission’s Programme for education, training, youth, and sport for the period 2021-2027. As an integrated programme, Erasmus+ offers more opportunities for the mobility of learners and staff and cooperation across the education, training, and youth sectors and is easier to access than its predecessors, with simplified funding rules and a structure that aims to streamline the administration of the programme.

Erasmus+ Key Action 1 (KA1) provides a unique opportunity for teachers, headmasters, trainers, and other staff of educational institutions to participate in international training courses in different European countries. Schools, universities, vocational education and training, and adult education organizations are all eligible to receive full funding to attend courses under a KA1 mobility grant. The Erasmus+ KA1 grant covers all the costs to attend teacher training courses: including travel, subsistence, and course fee.

For up-to-date information about Erasmus+ please check the Programme’s website. Your school will need to apply to your country’s National Agency, who is also the one who will evaluate the proposal. Therefore, your National Agency is also a very good point to start for more information.

Don’t forget to go through the the New Programme Guide and you will have all you need to know.

The steps to apply for an Erasmus+ KA1 School Education Staff Mobility grant are:

  1. Fill in the registration form to our Summer School with your details. This is an individual registration form, so if there are more than one participant from the same school, each one will have to submit a separate registration form. This way you have reserved a slot in the course in case your application for Erasmus+ funding is successful!
  2. Register your school/organization here: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-esc/index/ , if not already registered.
  3. Check the compliance with the programme criteria
  4. Check the financial conditions
  5. Fill in and submit the application form
  6. Respect the deadline
  7. Do not forget to inform us as soon as you get notified from your National Agency whether your grant application is accepted or rejected.

You can find all related information about submitting an Erasmus+ Application HERE.

We will be happy to guide you through the process.