From 30 June, 4 July, 2025, the ACADIMIA European Teachers Academy Summer Camp in Girona brought together 50 dedicated teachers from eight European countries for an intensive week of learning, collaboration, and professional development. Hosted by the University of Girona and organized within the framework of the ACADIMIA project, the training focused on innovative methods for creative and inclusive learning, equipping educators with practical tools to transform teaching and learning across Europe.
As a proud project partner, Trakia University joined colleagues from across the continent in a shared commitment to fostering creativity, inclusion, active citizenship, and educational innovation.
Day 1: An Inspiring Beginning
The Summer Camp opened with enthusiasm and excitement as participants arrived in Girona and began building a vibrant international learning community.
Teachers from eight countries came together to exchange experiences, explore new methodologies, and establish meaningful professional connections. Through interactive workshops, collaborative activities, and informal networking opportunities, participants immediately engaged in an atmosphere of creativity, openness, and innovation.
The first day set the tone for the week ahead—one driven by curiosity, collaboration, and a shared vision for more inclusive and engaging education.
Day 2: Creative Learning in Practice
The second day immersed participants in a series of hands-on workshops focused on innovative educational approaches that place learners at the centre of the learning process.
Key themes included:
- Montessori approaches and creative technology
- Drama in Education
- Creative Learning methodologies
- Strength-Based Learning
Throughout the day, teachers explored practical strategies to foster student engagement, build confidence, and support diverse learning needs. The workshops encouraged experimentation, reflection, and peer learning, enabling participants to experience educational innovation first-hand.
An equally important aspect of the day was the opportunity to collaborate across cultures. Educators from eight different countries worked together, sharing perspectives, experiences, and best practices. These exchanges strengthened professional learning communities and created authentic connections that will continue beyond the Summer Camp.
Day 3: The EAR Methodology and Active Citizenship
The third day focused on the EAR Methodology (Empathy – Analysis – Reflection), an innovative educational approach developed through the combination of Socratic Dialectics and Theatre Techniques.
Facilitated by Ifigenia Georgiadou and the Action Synergy team, participants explored Sophocles’ Antigone and the universal archetypes of ancient tragedy. Through dialogue, critical reflection, and creative performance techniques, teachers examined timeless social and ethical questions that remain relevant in contemporary society.
The workshops introduced:
- Socratic and dialectical techniques
- Documentary Theatre
- Forum Theatre
- Drama-based approaches to active citizenship education
Participants discovered how the EAR Methodology can be used to address complex social issues in educational settings, including:
- Power and Free Will
- The Right to Fear
- Teen Dating Violence
- Bullying
- Citizenship and Democratic Participation
Working collaboratively, teachers designed educational scenarios and classroom activities that promote critical thinking, empathy, participation, and social awareness among students.
The day demonstrated the power of combining philosophical inquiry with theatrical practice to create meaningful and transformative learning experiences.
Day 4: Creative STEAM – Bringing Arts into STEM Education
The fourth day, hosted at the Faculty of Education of the University of Girona, introduced participants to Creative STEAM, an innovative educational methodology developed and presented by Nikolas Kamtsis.
The workshop highlighted the essential role of the Arts—the “A” in STEAM—as a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and deeper learning within STEM subjects.
Participants explored practical approaches designed specifically for secondary education, discovering how artistic thinking and creative processes can enrich science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching.
As part of the broader ACADIMIA curriculum, Creative STEAM offers educators innovative tools and methodologies that support and enhance existing curricula while encouraging interdisciplinary learning, creativity, and student engagement.
Building a European Community of Innovative Educators
Throughout the Summer Camp, participants engaged in a unique blend of theory, practice, reflection, and collaboration. Beyond the workshops and training sessions, the programme fostered a strong sense of community among educators from different countries, cultures, and disciplines.
The exchange of ideas, experiences, and educational practices created a rich environment for professional growth and inspired participants to continue innovating in their own educational contexts.
Looking Ahead
The ACADIMIA European Teachers Academy Summer Camp in Girona demonstrated the transformative potential of creative and inclusive educational methodologies. By combining innovative pedagogical approaches, intercultural collaboration, theatre-based learning, active citizenship education, and Creative STEAM practices, the programme empowered educators to become agents of change in their schools and communities.
The knowledge, skills, and partnerships developed during the Summer Camp will continue to inspire innovative teaching practices and strengthen European cooperation in education for years to come.
