Belka MEN

Science Up! – Young Explorers in Action

Science Up! – Young Explorers in Action is a modern, interdisciplinary educational project implemented by the Polish-American Educational Association. Aimed at 290 students from kindergarten to grade 8 in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, the program seeks to spark curiosity, develop STEM competencies, and support young scientific talents. The project will run from June to December 2025.

🔬 What do we plan?

  • Workshops with science communicators and the creation of stop-motion animations about Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Nicolaus Copernicus

  • Educational Science Camps in Frombork, Toruń, Łeba, and Żarnowiec, focusing on astronomy, geological phenomena, renewable energy sources, and field observations

  • Activities for younger children (Little Explorers) – trips to the ZOO, Gdynia Aquarium, and the Experyment Science Centre, as well as hands-on SMART LAB experiments

  • The Academy of Experiment and STEM (Smart AES) – themed clubs (STEAM, MathMagicians, TechLab, LEGOminds), tutoring, meetings with scientists, and the "My Research Project" competition

🎯 Our goals:

  • To foster future-ready skills: logical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and scientific inquiry

  • To support both gifted children and those requiring additional engagement

  • To integrate formal and non-formal education through the use of modern technologies

🧩 Innovations and tools:

  • Original educational games and a logic & science-based escape room

  • Large-format mats for coding and robotics

  • Experimental kits and field equipment (microscopes, telescopes, mobile labs)

  • Tablets and LEGO® Education sets

💰 Project funding:

The project “Science Up! – Young Explorers in Action” received funding from the Polish Ministry of National Education under the “Explorers” program.

  • Funding amount: 236,066 PLN

  • Total project value: 250,914 PLN

📍 Where will the project take place?

The project will be carried out at the American Elementary School in Gdynia, as well as at educational institutions across the Tri-City area and during off-site educational trips throughout the Pomeranian region.