The project aimed to raise awareness of environmental and climate-change challenges among secondary school students and teachers through a STEAM-based, project-based learning approach. Our objective was not only to increase knowledge, but to empower learners to translate understanding into concrete climate actions. Specifically, we aimed to: 1. Develop a STEAM-based climate curriculum combining science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics in an interdisciplinary way; 2. Design hands-on project scenarios supported by a practical toolkit to foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving; 3. Train teachers to confidently implement climate education in an interdisciplinary way 4. Pilot the developed materials in school settings and improve them through feedback; 5. Strengthen European cooperation among schools, NGOs, and research institutions. The overarching goal was to empower students to think globally, act locally, and become responsible agents of change in their communities.
Climate change education in secondary schools remains fragmented, often limited to theoretical knowledge without linking science to real-life challenges or student agency. Teachers report a lack of structured, interdisciplinary materials that combine climate science with practical, hands-on STEAM activities. There is also a gap between scientific knowledge and classroom implementation, especially in translating complex climate topics into age-appropriate learning experiences. We applied for this project to address these needs by developing a structured, research-based STEAM curriculum supported by practical toolkits. The project responds to the need for innovative climate education that fosters critical thinking, systems understanding, and creativity, while empowering students (aged 12–16) to become active agents of change. It also responds to EU priorities related to sustainability, digital education, and strengthening teachers’ competences in interdisciplinary teaching.