LUMAT Research Symposium

The 15th annual LUMAT Research Symposium 2025 will be held online on Friday, May 23rd, from 1 pm to 4 pm (EEST UTC+03:00). The event is free of charge, and the symposium’s language is English. The symposium program consists of keynote speeches and presentations on the latest mathematics, science, and technology education research.

The theme of this year’s symposium is Promoting STE(A)M learning through non-formal education.

Every year, the symposium is open to scholars worldwide. The main target groups are STE(A)M teachers at different levels, researchers, teacher-educators, and teacher students. Warm welcome!

Program for LUMAT Symposium 2025

Chair: Professor Maija Aksela, University of Helsinki, LUMAT Science Research Forum. This is a farewell symposium for Professor Aksela as the Director of LUMAT Science Research Forum. She built the LUMAT Symposium 15 years ago. Read more here.

All times are Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) UTC+03:00.

Friday, 23rd of May

13.00–13.10
Opening words
Maija Aksela
University of Helsinki, Finland

13.10–13.30
Threads and Strings: Interweaving Bhutanese traditional music, textiles and
STEM
Som Gurung, Tshering Dorji, Johan Westman, Tashi Wangmo and Thinley Phuntsho
Paro college of educaion (HEDPC and STEM), Bhutan

13.30–13.50
A Case Study of Integrating Non-formal Learning for Developing Teaching
Resources for Sustainability During a Science Teacher Education Course
Safwatun Nida
Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia

13.50–14.10
Development of a Regional STEM Education Ecosystem in the Lower Mekong
Basin: A Case Study of the Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Thailand
Cherdchai Phosri, Patchalai Anuchaiwong, Nutchanun Painetr, Phrarit Kumsri, Wissarut Srivarom and Wuttichai Gunnula
Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Thailand

14.10–14.25 Break

14.25–14.45
Engaging learners in non-formal Science Technology Engineering and
Mathematics education: ESKOM EXPO for Young Scientists
Nalini Dookie and Angela James
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

14.45–15.05
Integrative Educational Projects and Teacher Practice: An Analytic Study
Suraya Ayyad, Eman Zaitoun, Samar Nazzal, and Asma Zaitoun
Innovation for Creativity Development Association (ICDA), Jordan

15.05–15.25
Engaging Science Learners at Disadvantaged schools in South Africa in the
Use of Culturally-Anchored Virtual Reality Simulations for Inquiry-based Learning
Umesh Ramnarain, Mafor Penn and Noluthando Mdlalose
University of Johannesburg, South Africa

15.25–15.40 Break

15.40–16.00
Computational Drug Design in Problem-Based Learning: A Pedagogical
Experience in Pre-Service Chemistry Teachers
Jorge Rodríguez-Becerra
Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Escuela de Postgrado, Santiago, Chile. José Hernández-Ramos Centro de Investigación Avanzada en Educación, Instituto de Educación, Universidad de Chile, Periodista José, Santiago, Chile.
Lizethly Cáceres-Jensen and Sofía Druker Ibáñez
Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Departamento de Química; Physical & Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (PachemLab), Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Santiago, Chile.

16.00–16.20
Co-designing Science Clubs for Non-formal STE(A)M Learning Environments
through Design-based Research
Maija Aksela and Outi Haatainen
LUMAlab Gadolin, University of Helsinki, Finland

16.20–16.30
Closing words
Maija Aksela
University of Helsinki, Finland


Organizing committee:

  • Professor Maija Aksela; Chair, program & invited speeches, Director of LUMAT Science Research Forum
  • Dr Johannes Pernaa; Editor-in-Chief of the LUMAT journal, LUMAT-B publication of the symposium
  • Assistant Maikki Roiha; registration and online symposium, contact person
  • Specialist Oona Kiviluoto; webpage, marketing & communications