FASTEAM in Skopje: turning family engagement into action
From 23 to 25 March 2026, FASTEAM partners and educators from the Netherlands, Croatia, Slovenia and North Macedonia came together in Skopje for three inspiring days focused on family engagement in STEAM.
Hosted by Vera Ciriviri Trena School, the training explored how schools can better connect with parents and caregivers and make STEAM learning more accessible beyond the classroom. Participants looked at the parent perspective, effective communication with families and ways to build stronger partnerships between schools, families and new technologies such as AI.
A central part of the programme was the Together Tool: a practical FASTEAM resource for planning and improving family engagement in STEAM. Teachers worked in groups, exchanged experiences and developed their own Schoolwide Family Engagement Plans, receiving feedback from colleagues and trainers along the way.
One important takeaway? Parents don’t need to be STEAM experts to get involved. Showing curiosity, asking questions and exploring together can already help children build confidence and enthusiasm for STEAM.
Of course, an international training is also about learning from each other beyond the training room. There was plenty of time to get to know the other participants, discover Skopje together and enjoy North Macedonian food. A city walk took the group from the old railway station and the Mother Teresa Museum to the Stone Bridge and the lively Old Bazaar — a great way to experience the city while continuing conversations in a more informal setting.
On the final day, participants presented their plans and left Skopje with practical ideas and tools to bring back to their schools.
Three days of learning, sharing and action — and another important step towards more inclusive, engaging and family-powered STEAM education across Europe!
