We’re incredibly proud to celebrate the success of our good friends and partner school in Croatia, Elementary School Sibinjskih žrtava, whose Tesla’s Classroom project was recently recognised as one of the most successful initiatives in the country under the EEA Grants-funded “Local Development and Poverty Reduction” programme. At the national closing ceremony in Zadar, their project received second place in the public vote – a true testament to the passion and dedication of the students, teachers, partners, and the wider community.

As partners in the EEA Grants-funded STEM projects in Croatia, we at GeoCamp Iceland have followed their journey with admiration. Tesla’s Classroom is a shining example of what happens when curiosity, creativity, and sustainability come together. From a fully equipped modern STEM learning space to a rooftop solar power plant, a greenhouse, and an outdoor learning gazebo – this initiative offers students a hands-on, real-world education that encourages research, critical thinking, and environmental responsibility, in true Tesla spirit.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this inspiring project! We are honoured to be your partners and look forward to continuing our collaboration where science, technology, and nature build the future together.

You can read more about our project with Sibinj Elementary School here.

In March 2025, a small team from GeoCamp Iceland travelled to Odense, Denmark, to attend the Big Bang Conference – Denmark’s largest event focused on science education. Big Bang brings together educators from all levels who teach or work with science and STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

This marks the second year in a row that GeoCamp Iceland has participated in the conference alongside teachers from the Reykjanes Peninsula – a tradition we hope will continue.

“Big Bang offers a wide variety of sessions and resources for STEAM educators. From workshops to talks, there’s something for every age group and subject focus. While it helps to speak Danish, I managed just fine using Google Translate, and most participants were happy to switch to English if needed. What stood out to me was how diverse educational materials are in Denmark, and how actively companies and institutions engage with schools. It was also inspiring to see the level of volunteer involvement in educational initiatives.”

Sara Ross Bjarnadóttir, Information and Technology teacher at Gerðaskóli, Suðurnesjabær

Over two vibrant days, teachers explored creative ways to bring science into the classroom and beyond – with many sessions highlighting the value of outdoor learning. The conference was also a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and feel the strength of a wider educational community.

“For me, attending Big Bang wasn’t just about discovering new teaching methods. It was also about finding common ground with teachers from other schools – even other countries – who face similar challenges and share the same passion for teaching. It made me feel less alone and more inspired. I learned a lot, gathered new tools and ideas for both short and long-term projects, and gained fresh motivation. One highlight was the opening keynote by Carsten Rahbek on biodiversity. His talk was powerful yet hopeful – showing complex topics in a visual, engaging way. Even with the serious tone of climate urgency, it left us all more knowledgeable and inspired.”

Hildur Sigfúsdóttir, Science teacher at Heiðarskóli, Reykjanesbær

At GeoCamp Iceland, we believe that international collaboration and exposure to best practices strengthen both our teachers and students. Big Bang 2025 gave us new insights and renewed energy to continue developing exciting learning experiences rooted in nature, sustainability, and science.

As interest in science education, sustainability, and hands-on learning continues to grow, the Reykjanes Peninsula played host to a national conference focused on strengthening the teaching of natural sciences in Icelandic schools. Held at Sandgerði Primary School on 28–29 March, the event brought together educators, researchers, and stakeholders from across the country. The initiative was led by the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, supported by a planning committee representing the University of Iceland, the University of Akureyri, the Icelandic associations of science and primary school teachers, the Suðurnes Science and Learning Centre, and GeoCamp Iceland.
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The conference is part of a nationwide effort to strengthen natural sciences education, with similar events taking place in different regions every two years. This year marked the first time the conference was hosted on the Reykjanes Peninsula. More than 50 participants attended, including teachers from preschools, primary and secondary schools, representatives of academia, and others involved in the development of science education.

The program placed strong emphasis on highlighting local expertise, regional resources, and innovative pedagogical approaches, while also incorporating international perspectives through keynote addresses by Per Arild Konradsen, founder of First Scandinavia, and Professor Douglas Larkin of Montclair State University, both recognised for their contributions to science education and teacher development.

Alongside keynote presentations, the conference programme featured a series of workshops and presentations delivered by practising teachers, who shared pedagogical approaches and classroom-based initiatives. The University of Iceland’s School of Education contributed insights on recent changes to national curriculum standards, while additional sessions focused on the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) subjects and the creation of innovative teaching resources.

GeoCamp Iceland led the final component of the programme - a field excursion within the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. Guided by the Director of GeoCamp Iceland, Ólafur Jón Arnbjörnsson, the tour introduced participants to the area’s unique geological landscape, including geothermal activity and sites affected by recent volcanic eruptions and seismic events. The excursion concluded with site visits to Grindavík and Svartsengi, offering a direct view of the effects of recent natural hazards on local communities and infrastructure.
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GeoCamp Iceland’s participation in the conference underscores our dedication to outdoor education, experiential learning, and the advancement of Earth science and sustainability within both national and international educational contexts. Through the facilitation of real-world learning environments and a focus on scientific literacy, GeoCamp aims to contribute to the development of STEAM education while promoting collaboration across educational levels and sectors.

The past year we've been fortunate to participate in an EEA funded project on implementing STEM education in Croatian schools. The project concluded with events, conferences and open days in all our partner schools, which brought the staff of GeoCamp Iceland for a final visit (for now) to Croatia.

During the project lifetime GeoCamp Iceland organized and arranged monthly online meetings and workshops with our partner schools in Croatia, aimed to enhance understanding of STEM in education as well as work with pedagogy and educational methods. We arranged four study visits for a total of close to 50 Croatian teachers to Iceland, and took part in similar workshops and meetings, bringing over twenty teachers and experts from Iceland to Croatia in four visits.

We thank our Croatian partners from OŠ Vladimir Nazor Budinščina, Osnovna škola Sibinjskih žrtava, OŠ Josipa Kozarca Lipovljani and OŠ "Vladimir Nazor" Đakovo for their dedication and commitment in the project, and for their warm welcome and generosity. We congratulate them on their achievements and the results in increasing interest and actively introduce STEM topics in Croatian education.

The past year we've been fortunate to participate in an EEA funded project on implementing STEM education in Croatian schools. In November 2023 the staff of GeoCamp Iceland - along with a group of teachers from primary schools and research centers in the Reykjanes region - attended a couple of open days in our partner schools in Croatia, including a very successful event at OŠ Josipa Kozarca in the town of Lipovljani. Great recpetion and hospitality of inspiring teachers and active students. #STEM #Lipovljani

The past year GeoCamp Iceland has partnered four primary schools in Croatia as part of an EEA funded project on implementing STEM education. As part of this project - the staff and experts on behalf of GeoCamp Iceland - took part in meetings, workshops and open days at Vladimir Nazor Primary School on 2 - 4 November 2023 in the town of Ðakovo located in the region of Slovania in Croatia. 

The goal of the meeting and events was to introduce with the activities achieved through the project. Teachers and students, involved in the project, organised workshops as part of twelve extracurricular activities where they displayed the application and use of innovative STEM teaching methods in their school.

Great event with engaged students and inspired teachers. #STEM #Ðakovo

As part of the EEA funded project on implementing STEM education in Croatian schools, a seven person delegation on behalf of GeoCamp Iceland took part in a three day meeting in the SMART - BICC Project in Budinščina, Croatia on 19 - 21 April 2023.

During the meeting we had the opportunity to attend open day and workshops presented by students. Attending the visit from GeoCamp Iceland were Arnbjörn Ólafsson, Ólafur Jón Arnbjörnsson, Sigrún Svafa Ólafsdóttir, Álfhildur Leifsdóttir (Árskóli Primary School), Nada Borosak (Álftanesskóli Primary School), Gauti Eiríksson (Álftanesskóli Primary School) and Huld Hafliðadóttir (Husavik STEM Center).

The focus of GeoCamp Iceland in the STEM projects is to participate in capacity-building activities for teachers and other educational workers in the STEM field; working on pupil’s skills strengthening in the field of STEM; and participating in information and visibility activitie with experienced experts from Iceland, including lectures and workshops of defined activities.