The 5th meeting and teacher training event of the European project ACADIMIA took place in Iceland 4 - 6 November 2025, jointly hosted by GeoCamp Iceland and the University of Iceland – School of Education.

The event brought together educators, researchers and project partners from across Europe to advance one of Erasmus+’s most ambitious initiatives in teacher education, creating a European Teacher Academy for Creative and Inclusive Learning.

A European Collaboration for Innovation in Education

ACADIMIA unites universities, training centres and schools from eight European countries. Its goal is to integrate creative and inclusive pedagogies into mainstream teacher education and professional development. The project builds on ten successful EU-funded initiatives and connects them through a shared curriculum and a networked Community of Practice for teachers.

At its core, ACADIMIA promotes ten creative teaching approaches — from digital storytelling, drama in education and gamification, to STEAM-based learning and strength-based inclusion — all designed to make learning more engaging, equitable and sustainable.

Iceland’s Role and Local Impact

For Iceland, hosting this fifth meeting is both a milestone and a reflection of growing momentum. Over fifity local teachers from the Reykjanes region have already taken part in ACADIMIA’s international training activities, applying new creative learning methods in their classrooms.

According to Sigrun Svafa Olafsdottir, Project Manager of Education at GeoCamp Iceland and Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, the project is gaining a real momentum in Reykjanes “Teachers are interested in using more inclusive, hands-on and creative approaches — whether through digital storytelling, creative STEAM projects or collaborative drama activities. It’s exciting to see how these European ideas take root locally.”

The collaboration between GeoCamp Iceland and the University of Iceland strengthens the country’s capacity for field-based, sustainability-focused teacher education — a natural fit for Iceland’s landscape and GeoCamp’s expertise in outdoor learning.

A Three-Day Programme of Ideas and Practice

The meeting opened on November 4th at the University of Iceland – School of Education. Partner sessions will focus on progress in teacher training, professional communities, evaluation and long-term sustainability. In the afternoons, Icelandic and international teachers participating in parallel training workshops on creative methodologies such as MONTECH, EAR, SEDIN, and Talentmaker.

On the final day, participants step outside the classroom for a field-based learning experience led by GeoCamp Iceland, exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula, visiting sites like the Bridge Between Continents, Gunnuhver hot springs and the new lava fields near Grindavík — powerful examples of how Iceland’s dynamic landscape can serve as a living classroom.

The training event concludes with sessions on Digital Storytelling and Drama in Education, linking creative expression with environmental and place-based education.

Building a Lasting Legacy

The Iceland meeting marks an important step toward ACADIMIA’s long-term vision, a self-sustaining European network of teacher training providers who champion inclusive, creative and cross-disciplinary education.

For GeoCamp Iceland and its regional partners, we look towards a lasting impact with better-trained teachers, stronger ties between schools and universities, and a richer integration of creative and inclusive learning, as well as outdoor andfield-based learning into mainstream education.

As Europe and the world face rapid social and environmental change, projects like ACADIMIA remind us that education can be both creative and grounded in reality — rooted in place, collaboration and shared learning.

GeoCamp Iceland, together with the University of Iceland’s School of Education, took part in the Acadimia Teacher Training Seminar in Girona, Spain, from 30 June to 4 July. An inspiring event under the Erasmus+ Acadimia project bringing together European teachers to explore creative and inclusive methodologies in education.

Hosted at the Facultat d’Educació i Psicologia of the University of Girona, the seminar welcomed 50 teachers from eight countries. Participants, including representatives from GeoCamp Iceland, engaged with innovative teaching practices such as Creative STEAM, Digital Storytelling, G.A.M.E. and Gamified Learning, and Empathy–Analysis–Reflection (EAR). Each day combined hands-on workshops with opportunities for networking and cultural immersion, reflecting the project’s belief that creativity and inclusion thrive through shared experiences.

Iceland was well represented with primary school teachers from Grundaskóli in Akranes, Sandgerðisskóli, Háaleitisskóli, and Stóru-Vogaskóli on the Reykjanes Peninsula, along with two teachers from Ingunnarskóli and Borgarskóli in Reykjavik. This collective participation highlights the strong and growing collaboration among Icelandic schools, University of Iceland, GeoCamp Iceland, and the Acadimia community.

The seminar demonstrated the power of international cooperation in education—equipping teachers with practical tools for creative learning and reinforcing the importance of building a supportive community where educators inspire one another across borders.

GeoCamp Iceland and the University of Iceland’s School of Education will continue this collaboration by hosting follow-up workshops with Acadimia representatives in Iceland. Interested teachers are welcome to contact us for more details about participating.

It is worth noting that we will be organising meetings and workshops with Acadimia representatives at the University of Iceland’s School of Education this coming November in Iceland. Teachers interested in joining these events are welcome to get in touch with us for more information. 

​To learn more about Acadimia’s innovative methodologies and to join the Icelandic Acadimia community, visit the project website here or join the Acadimia IS Facebook group here.

GeoCamp Iceland was thrilled to take part in the ACAδIMIA European Teacher Training Summer Campus from 26–28 June in Epidaurus, Greece—an inspiring gathering of educators in a place steeped in ancient history.

Trainers and teachers from Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Spain, and Greece came together for an intensive training experience built around the EAR methodology (Empathy – Analysis – Reflection) and Drama in Education. As a case study, participants explored Sophocles’ timeless tragedy Antigone, connecting its themes to today’s educational and social challenges.

A highlight of the summer camp was attending the world premiere of Antigone—directed by Ulrich Rasche—at the iconic Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its extraordinary acoustics and capacity of up to 14,000 spectators. Experiencing this powerful performance in such a historic setting brought the training’s themes of empathy, conflict, and critical thinking to life in a profound way.

A Unique Learning Experience

This unforgettable experience took place in a real camping environment, adding a spirit of adventure and community. We extend heartfelt thanks to our inspired trainers—Nikolas Kamtsis, Ifigenia Georgiadou, Ntina Aidona, and Bethlenfalvy Adam—whose expertise and energy made the training exceptional. A special thank you also goes to the Action Synergy team for their dedication and positivity, and to the wonderful staff at Bekas Camping for their professionalism and warm hospitality, which made everyone feel welcome and comfortable.

The summer camp combined:

• Interactive workshops exploring Socratic dialogue, Forum Theatre, and creative drama techniques.
• Hands-on activities fostering empathy, creativity, and social awareness among educators.
• Collective reflection sessions, connecting ancient narratives with modern classroom challenges.
• Shared community moments, including meals and discussions under the Greek sky—honouring the tradition of learning together that has defined Epidaurus for millennia.

GeoCamp Iceland is excited to bring these creative, inclusive approaches back to Icelandic classrooms, helping teachers empower every student through drama, empathy, and active learning.

GeoCamp Iceland is happy to share that our Acadimia project has reached a major milestone, the successful completion of its interim phase. As we stand halfway through this ambitious European initiative, we’re celebrating not only what we’ve achieved so far, but also the exciting opportunities this creates for schools and teachers in Iceland.

Halfway to a European Teacher Academy

Acadimia is an Erasmus+ project that brings together twelve partners from eight countries—including GeoCamp Iceland—to establish a European Teacher Academy focused on creative and inclusive teaching methods. These methods, proven to engage learners and foster social inclusion, range from drama and digital storytelling to creative STEAM approaches.

Our shared goal is to empower teachers across Europe with innovative tools and practices, and to embed creative teaching as a cornerstone of inclusive education.

Key Achievements So Far

At the project’s halfway point, we’re proud to report:

• The training of 51 specialist trainers, more than double the initial target—ensuring a strong foundation for teacher training in each partner country.
• 200 teachers trained across Europe, including future teachers in Iceland, who are now equipped to bring these creative methods to their classrooms.
• Finalisation of the joint creative curriculum, providing detailed guidance on 10 evidence-based methods for teaching diverse and multicultural classrooms.
• Launch of teacher training activities at the national level, setting the stage for wider adoption of creative practices.

Benefits for Icelandic Schools and Teachers

This milestone is more than a number on a timeline; it’s a transformative step for schools in Iceland. Thanks to GeoCamp Iceland’s active involvement, our region stands to benefit directly from:

• Access to innovative training aligned with international best practices.
• Resources and methods designed to support inclusive education, ensuring every child can thrive regardless of background.
• Opportunities for Icelandic teachers to join communities of practice with educators from across Europe, fostering collaboration and shared learning.
• A pipeline of creative approaches that connect traditional subjects like science, technology, arts, and humanities with new, engaging ways to teach.

Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Legacy

As Acadimia moves into its second half, the focus will shift towards scaling these successes and securing the long-term future of the European Teacher Academy. Together with our partners, GeoCamp Iceland is committed to making sure this project leaves a lasting legacy—one that continues to benefit Icelandic educators and learners for years to come.

Thank You to Our Community

We extend heartfelt thanks to all the teachers, trainers, school leaders, and partners who have contributed to reaching this milestone. Your dedication to creative and inclusive teaching is what makes Acadimia’s vision a reality.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey, and let’s keep working together to transform teaching and inspire every learner!

GeoCamp Iceland took part in a training event in Florence in October as part of the Acaδimia Project (https://european-acadimia.eu/), which included fifty teachers and teacher trainers from eight countries with the objective to explore and practice Creative and Inclusive Learning Methods.

Among the large group of teachers and trainers, were three participants from GeoCamp Iceland’s as well as teachers from Akurskóli and Gerðaskóli Primary Schools in Reykjanes on behalf of our organisation. 

The seminar was a vibrant hub of learning, collaboration, and exploration. For GeoCamp Iceland, it was especially rewarding to discover new ways of tackling environmental issues and STEAM topics in the classroom, presenting these challenges through the lens of nature and sustainability. Looking ahead, the project will now focus on equipping local teachers with the skills and tools to integrate these innovative methods into classrooms across Reykjanes.

“I found the trip absolutely fantastic!” shared Ragnheiður Alma Snæbjörnsdóttir from Akurskóli Primary School at the end of the five-day event. “The training sessions were highly beneficial, and networking both domestically and internationally was invaluable. We had the opportunity to explore new teaching methodologies; even familiar concepts were presented in a fresh context, making them immediately applicable in the classroom. Diverse examples were provided, allowing me to select those most suitable for my teaching practice.”
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In the group photo, GeoCamp Iceland’s team stands with project partners from the University of Iceland and teachers from Vesturbæjarskóli, Hörðuvallskóli, and Kársnesskóli Primary Schools, celebrating a successful step forward in educational innovation.

We are excited to share the highlights of the second Acadimia Project partners’ meeting, which took place on 29 - 30 May 2024 at the welcoming UCLL campus in Leuven, Belgium. The first day was filled with inspiring discussions, idea exchanges, and strategic meetings that set the stage for the next steps in our project collaboration.

The Acadimia project team, including representatives from GeoCamp Iceland, came together to evaluate the progress of our initiatives aimed at fostering creativity and inclusivity in education. The energy in the room was palpable as partners exchanged ideas and shared best practices, all with the goal of enhancing teacher training across Europe.

Special thanks goes to our generous hosts at UCLL, whose thoughtful itinerary and facilities provided an ideal setting for the meeting with productive interactions and meaningful discussions between project partners. The team is feeling motivated and ready to continue working on the exciting next phases of the project. Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward with our mission to make a positive impact on education!

For more information about the project please visit: https://european-acadimia.eu/

GeoCamp Iceland partners in the ACAδIMIA (European Academy of Creative and Inclusive Learning) project, with ten other project partners from eight countries. We are coming together to create а European Teacher Academy - a hub dedicated to expanding the use of creative teaching methods. ACADIMIA is a dynamic catalyst for change. It is designed to equip educators with the tools and knowledge they need to effectively integrate creative methods in mainstream education. 

​The project will develop a Joint Curriculum on the use of Creative methods in diverse classrooms and is going to organise a series of joint teacher training activities (online workshops, Summer Campus, e-learning courses, blended learning courses, classroom-based courses etc) which will also test diverse mobility and training schemes.

You can follow the progress of the project on our website (https://european-acadimia.eu/about/) and our regular newsletters.