Introducing (Pre-)Engineering education to future teachers in the Netherlands

In November 2024, we had the opportunity to present the (pre-)engineering education unit of the UP-sTEAm project, developed by UAB, to a group of enthusiastic pre-service teachers at Meppel University in the Netherlands. The unit is specifically designed to engage future educators working in early childhood and primary education with a central question: What kind of engineering education should we promote for primary school students? Through hands-on participation in Tinkering and Making activities, participants were encouraged to explore and develop their own understanding of engineering practices in education. These creative, exploratory tasks not only provided insights into practical implementation but also opened up discussions on the pedagogical value and challenges of integrating such activities into school settings. The session concluded with a reflective dialogue on the potential of these approaches in primary classrooms, highlighting their capacity to foster curiosity, problem-solving, and innovation from a young age. We are excited to see how this collaboration helps shape confident, capable educators ready to inspire the next generation of learners through meaningful and inclusive STEAM education.