“Innovative Classrooms” Teacher Training Programme

Its main goal being the support of initiatives for the upgrade of the educational process, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation supported the launch of the “Robotics and Innovation Academy” through the supply of state-of-the-art robotics equipment (VEX Robotics), unique in Greece, offering students access to cutting-edge technologies. The Academy provides holistic STEM educational programmes for students aged 5-17 years old and teachers of the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni and surrounding areas, aiming to familiriase them with the fields of Engineering, Robotics and Programming, as well as to develop essential soft skills for the citizen of the 21st century, such as collaboration, entrepreneurial and critical thinking, and creativity. In addition, the “Innovative Classrooms” training programme was launched in 2023 with funding from the Foundation, giving participating teachers the opportunity to enrich their teaching methods with innovative techniques in order to inspire and activate their students’ imagination within the classroom. Through collaborative activities and using simple materials to create practical solutions, participants were trained in new ideas and design thinking methodologies, which they then applied along with their students, with the goal of fostering a culture of exploration and innovation in the classroom.

• 97 teachers participated in the on-site workshops, while the Programme is also offered online nationwide in 70 schools in remote areas across the country.
• Approximately 120 students on a weekly basis attend the Robotics programmes offered by the Academy.

“It has been the most enjoyable programme for a teacher to attend. Creative, different, inspiring. I already tried the simplest techniques I learned and they worked. It would be a pleasure to attend the next round as well.”

Niki Manoli

Philologist & Headmaster, High School of Vouliagmeni