2023 m. 11-12 May A group of Kaunas education institution managers participated in the Kaunas Education Innovation Centre’s trip to Ventspils (Latvia) to visit the science centre “VIZIUM”. This educational programme aims to deepen knowledge of STEAM, one of the most modern models for organising education, which is particularly important for linking knowledge to the real world, change and progress, sustainable development goals, and real-world problem solving.
The staff members who welcomed the delegates told them about the establishment of the centre, its activities, the spaces and educational opportunities. We learned that the Science Centre will celebrate its one-year anniversary in June and that the name “VIZIUM” (V for Ventspils, I for innovation, ZI for science and UM for the Latin word “centrum”) symbolises vision, mission, values, communication, purpose, efficiency and identity. The centre is a favourite and much-visited centre for Lithuanians, and its architectural concept was conceived by Lithuanian Audrius Ambrasas.
“VIZIUM’s mission is to communicate the mutual influence of physics, nature, matter, sound and light in an understandable way, and to promote an understanding of science and its complexity. The Science Centre is equipped with over 80 interactive educational exhibits, educational interactive exhibition halls, science exhibition halls, laboratories, conference halls, technical workshops where visitors can learn about physics, chemistry and other natural sciences. The Science Centre’s exhibition is divided into seven different galleries: Smart Technologies, Simulators, Geography and the World, Human and Self-Awareness, Physics and Mathematics, Children and Healthy Living. The centre also provides training for teachers to improve their competences.
In addition to getting to know the work of the institution, we had the opportunity to try out various activities: we took part in the “Edison’s Light Bulb” educational activity, a science show on physics, felt the force of an earthquake, tried to escape from a virtual maze, and rode on roller coasters. We toured the conference room, which can be used as a whole for up to 120 people, or divided into three separate spaces for smaller events; we admired the lobby floor, made of Murano glass pieces and depicting a map of the world.
The heads of Kaunas educational institutions are grateful to Rasa Bortkevičienė, Director of Kaunas Education Innovation Centre, Giedrius Vaidelis, Director of Kaunas Pupil Technical Creativity Centre, and Erik Griškevičius, Head of Kaunas Chapter of Lithuanian Association of School Leaders, not only for organising the internship, but also for bringing them together, for giving them the opportunity to communicate, and for some of them – to meet each other. We have seen once again the importance of the STEAM model in developing students’ collaborative and critical thinking skills, and in encouraging exploration. Now we are looking forward even more to the opening of the science promotion museum “Science Island” next year in Kaunas, on the island of Nemunas.
Dr. Daiva Garnienė, Director of Kaunas Maironis University Gymnasium
We would like to thank Antanina Džiugienė, the headmistress of Kaunas Petrašiūnai Pro-Gymnasium, for capturing these moments.
