By Seda Erten, Global Schools Advocate.
Today, one of the most important ways to build a sustainable future is to combine STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education with the concept of sustainability.
STEM disciplines develop knowledge and skills that help create innovative solutions to environmental problems, while sustainability education raises awareness for a better future.
With this vision, a workshop was organized in cooperation with the STEM coordinators of the Fethiye District Directorate of National Education in Turkey. The event featured a series of activities exploring the connection between STEM and sustainability in multiple ways.
This workshop brought together approximately 150 teachers from all levels in Fethiye. Participants gained both theoretical and practical knowledge on STEM and sustainability.
To understand the importance of integrating sustainability into STEM, we must first look at the main goals of these two fields. Sustainability is a vision for transformation that includes environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Meanwhile, STEM disciplines equip individuals with skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. When these two fields come together, they provide concrete solutions to major global challenges.
The workshop explored how STEM can be used as a tool to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Topics such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and climate change adaptation were discussed. Additionally, the workshop emphasized how STEM can bridge social gaps and create a more inclusive future.
The workshop, coordinated by Osman Mertcan, began with presentations from three different speakers. As one of the speakers, I explained how STEM education can help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. I also introduced the Global Schools Program, explaining its purpose, vision, and strategies for integrating the SDGs into education. I showed participants how the program's resources and support can help teachers incorporate sustainability into STEM lessons.
Hasan Kurtbogan, an AI Trainer, and Betül Özlen Çırak, a Scientix Educator, delivered inspiring presentations on artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in sustainable development. They discussed how AI can support goals related to energy efficiency, waste management, and education. These topics sparked in-depth discussions and captured the interest of the participants.
In the second part of the workshop, teachers were divided into groups based on their teaching levels: kindergarten, primary school, middle school, and high school. Each group participated in specially designed workshops following STEM lesson plans. One of the most engaging workshops focused on the theme of gender equality.
The workshop I led explored the connection between gender equality and AI in a creative way. I asked participants the question: "If AI were a human, what would its gender be, and what would it look like?" Instead of just answering with words, they were encouraged to visualize their ideas and create drawings.
The results revealed interesting perspectives on gender and technology. Some participants imagined AI as genderless, while others designed representations reflecting a specific gender or a combination of multiple genders. This creative workshop provided teachers with new ways to address gender equality in their classrooms.
This workshop, organized as part of the Global Schools Program in collaboration with the Fethiye District Directorate of National Education, demonstrated the powerful impact of integrating sustainability with STEM education. Bringing together teachers from different levels allowed them to share knowledge and experiences, contributing significantly to the future of education.
After this workshop, it became even clearer that multidimensional topics such as gender equality, artificial intelligence, and sustainability need more attention in education. The synergy between STEM and sustainability will shape not only today's world but also the world of tomorrow. As educators, we are excited to be part of this transformation.
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