Directorate for STEM and VET Programmes

🏆 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆

The Primary STEM Challenge Awards Ceremony celebrated the creativity, innovation and scientific thinking demonstrated by students throughout this year’s challenge.

Students confidently presented their investigations, shared their ideas and showcased their ability to apply STEM learning to real-world contexts. The overall quality of submissions was of a very good standard, reflecting the dedication, curiosity and collaborative spirit of both students and educators.

Award winners also had the opportunity to showcase and discuss their investigations with students visiting the Primary Science Fair, providing a valuable opportunity for science communication and peer learning.

We congratulate all participating students and schools for embracing inquiry, problem-solving and creativity through STEM learning.

A sincere thank you also goes to the adjudicators, collaborators, educators and parents who contributed towards making this initiative a success. Thank you also goes to HSBC Malta Foundation and Esplora for supporting this initiative.

📸 Here are some highlights from the awards ceremony!

#𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 #𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 #𝗗𝗦𝗩𝗣

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 🌍🤖🌿

Team members from Primary Science, Computing, Chemistry and Graphical Communication within the Directorate for STEM & VET Programmes recently participated in an Erasmus+ mobility project focused on Artificial Intelligence and Outdoor Learning.

Through specialised training courses in Europe, educators explored innovative ways to integrate AI, inquiry-based learning and outdoor education into teaching and learning practices.

The knowledge gained has been disseminated to educators across Malta and Gozo through professional development sessions, fieldwork activities and STEM outreach initiatives.

#𝗘𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗣𝗹𝘂𝘀 #𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 #𝗔𝗜𝗶𝗻𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #𝗜𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝘆𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 #𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Melanie Casha Sammut, Director of the Directorate for STEM and VET Programmes (MEYR), was recently invited to participate as a panellist at the ITS Prospectus Launch.

The panel discussion focused on preparing new generations for future realities, emphasising the importance of strong collaboration between education and industry, and the need to embed innovation, sustainability, and emerging skills within learning pathways.

DSVP remains committed to supporting programmes and initiatives that empower students with relevant, future-oriented competences and open pathways to exciting career opportunities.

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 🔬✨

The Primary Science Team within the Directorate for STEM and VET Programmes coordinated the second edition of the Primary Science Fair for Year 5 students.

A total of 𝟵𝟯𝟯 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 from state and non-state schools participated in 𝟮𝟴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 and 𝟭𝟬𝟲 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 linked to the Year 5 Primary Science Learning Outcomes, Sustainable Development Goals and the theme Globally Curious.

Led by members of the Primary Science Team, STEM professionals and students, the fair provided engaging opportunities for hands-on learning, inquiry and discussion.

📸 Here are some highlights from the second edition of the Primary Science Fair.
🎥 A short recap video will be shared soon — stay tuned!

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Mathematics Department within the Directorate for STEM and VET Programmes (DSVP) organised the 10th edition of the Maths Venture at the Chinese Garden of Serenity, Sta Lucia. Sixty Year 9 students from 30 state and non-state schools participated in the event. During the activity the students worked in teams consisting of two students from two different schools.

👏👏👏Congratulations to the winning team:
Beatrice Cachia and Aleksandar Krastev (St Theresa College Secondary School, Mriehel), and Julia Rose Attard and Elisa Marie Pace (St Joseph School, Blata l-Bajda).

The students of the winning team were awarded a board game, donated by CS Technologies and the winning schools received book vouchers donated by DSVP. CS Technologies also provided T-shirts of the event for all participants.

On Thursday 30th April, the Directorate for STEM & VET Programmes brought together over 1500 educators from Primary, Middle, and Secondary schools for an inspiring day of professional learning.

With 34 sessions across 22 locations, this reflects the strong commitment within our educational community to continuous growth and excellence.

We extend our sincere thanks to the entire DSVP team, including officials, educators, and administrative staff, whose hard work made this possible. A special appreciation also goes to the guest professionals and academics who contributed to delivering such engaging and insightful sessions.

We are equally grateful to the SLT teams and school staff for their support in hosting these sessions.

Heartfelt thanks to all participating educators. Your enthusiasm, collaboration, and commitment to professional learning continue to strengthen the quality of education for all learners.

This year’s professional development session for KTI Achieve educators, Thrive & Balance: A Morning of Resilience and Digital Well-Being, was another inspiring and enriching experience for all those who attended. Led by Dr. Elaine Cutajar from the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Unit within the Department for Health Regulation, the session explored meaningful mindsets and practical strategies to help strengthen resilience and support individuals in navigating life’s challenges with confidence. The training also highlighted the impact of digital device use on children and provided valuable guidance on how educators can help foster a school culture that encourages balanced, mindful, and intentional use of digital technology. Sessions like these inspire growth ,encourage reflection and continue to reflect our commitment to supporting and empowering educators, equipping them with valuable knowledge and practical tools that enhance both their personal well-being and professional practice.

The Directorate for STEM & VET Programmes recently hosted a seminar on Maths Through Stories: reimagining how stories can deepen mathematical thinking. The session brought together a diverse group of participants creating a rich space for professional dialogue.

Led by Dr Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai (University of Reading, MathsThroughStories.org) in collaboration with Prof. Marie Therese Farrugia (University of Malta), the seminar sparked powerful conversations around teaching, learning, and assessing mathematics.

Explore more, including photos and participant reflections: https://www.mathsthroughstories.org/news/malta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyG-SLTsGW4

Maths Through Stories ‘Maths Through Stories’ National Implementation Consultation Workshop in Malta

BUSTIC EDU is an international EU-funded project involving 7 partners across 5 countries, with Malta represented by the DSVP.

The project focuses on building sustainable competences 🏡, 🪡, 🐠, 🌻, 🏙️, in education through an integrated teaching and learning, cross-curricular approach, with particular emphasis on reconnecting learners with nature through a competence-based model of education within a whole-school framework.

On the 17th April 2026, we successfully completed the training of the pilot implementation phase.

The enthusiasm, engagement, and active participation of the educators from three state colleges and two independent schools were truly inspiring. 30 educators demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and are now prepared to apply their learning in practice.

The training day fostered rich discussions, shared a range of lesson ideas, showed the resources available, and most importantly how they align with the different related initiatives across our schools and the syllabi learning outcomes.

IMP: 𝒘𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒓𝒆-𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔.

𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬.

As participants move into the implementation phase, we look forward to gathering the feedback through the students' voices, the educators' voices, and the senior leadership teams.

Special recognition is due to the Heads of College Network (HCNs) of the colleges involved, Education Officer (Curriculum), school leaders supporting educators from St Clare College, St Margaret College, St Nicholas College Higher Secondary School, and the Malta School of Arts, St.Michael School & St.Michael Foundation, Chiswick House School & St Martin's College - Malta.

Sincere thanks go to the dedicated team led by Francesco Debono (EO – Education for Sustainable Development) and his team for joining us for this professional development

Looking ahead, two backup sessions for those who could not be with us will be held on 28th April 2026 (Primary) and 6th May 2026 (Secondary).