About StarT

Welcome to the International LUMA StarT Programme, an innovative and supportive platform designed to enhance collaborative project-based learning in science, technology, and mathematics (STEM / STEAM). We invite schools, kindergartens, and other learning communities to join us in experiencing the joy and excitement of project-based learning. By fostering collaboration and student engagement, StarT aims to inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers.

What is StarT?

StarT is a comprehensive programme that offers support and recognition to learning communities for their efforts in conducting interdisciplinary, collaborative projects. The StarT way of working and thinking is based on research and aligned with the latest national core curriculum of Finland. It offers support for teachers and empowers children and youngsters – the stars of our future – to work together and use science, technology, mathematics and 21st century skills to address real-life issues.

Participating students and teachers are encouraged to share their projects. The topic of the projects is free of choice; the only requirement is that the projects must connect to these fields in some way, emphasizing student participation, teamwork, and cross-disciplinary approaches.

We believe in the importance of basing projects on students’ questions and interests. This student-centered approach fosters a deeper connection to the subject matter and enhances engagement. Additionally, we encourage collaboration with other schools, universities, organizations, and companies. The integration of modern technology and learning environments outside of traditional classrooms further enriches the StarT experience. The shared projects often combine STEM with other disciplines such as music, visual arts, drama, languages, and sports, creating a truly interdisciplinary learning experience.

Recognition and awards

StarT has been recognized internationally for its contributions to STEM education. In 2018, we received the “Global Best Awards” at the IPN2018 for being the best STEM education initiative that bridges the gap between education and working life in Europe.

Aims and implementation

The primary aim of StarT is to introduce a new way of thinking and working in schools through interdisciplinary, collaborative project-based learning. This approach is rooted in research and is aligned with the latest core curriculum of Finland. StarT is operated by LUMA Centre Finland, a network of Finnish universities dedicated to ensuring the high quality of science, technology, and mathematics education in Finland.

Through StarT, we also aim to spark young people’s interest in STEM fields and strengthen their scientific competence. By participating in StarT, students gain valuable experience that can inspire future academic and career pursuits.

In StarT, students from early childhood education to upper secondary school learn together and from each other by carrying out interdisciplinary projects in groups. The projects created by children and young people integrate science, mathematics, and/or technology naturally with any subject.

StarT promotes project-based learning and active collaboration within the learning community and also outwards. Through collaboration, students get real-life experiences of science, technology and mathematics. StarT aims to bring for example companies, universities and other organizations closer to schools and kindergartens. Learning can be exciting, meaningful, and effective all at the same time!

StarT gives schools and kindergartens new ideas and support for the implementation of project-based learning. It also establishes a new kind of science festival culture that focuses around collaboration. We emphasize the role of learning communities as a collaborative learning environment. In StarT, learning communities network, get visibility and recognition for their activies, and learn from each other. The best student projects and best practices developed by educators are awarded by the StarT-jury.

StarT places students in the core and encourages them to carry out science, math, and technology projects on topics that interest them. The students’ projects and the educator’s best practices will be on display at StarT events allowing them to get recognition for their work.

This is why the StarT model is remarkable: in StarT both young people and teachers share their expertise and creativity with their peers worldwide, providing everyone participating with new ideas and inspiration. StarT encourages schools and kindergartens to develop their own models of interdisciplinary project-based learning!

The StarT model emphasizes that learning is sharing, and therefore a pivotal part of StarT is bringing the project works and the educational practices out of classrooms. StarT is implemented on four different levels.

Local level: StarT projects carried out in kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools, high schools, and extracurricular activity groups. Read more about the project work.
StarT-Days: young people and their teachers share their work with their own local community
StarT-Fests: regional science festivals where young people share their work with an even wider audience. In Finland, StarT-Fests are organized by the regional LUMA Centres. However, also a few other countries have started organizing StarT-Fests – read more about our partner countries.
International level: we share project work carried out around the world. We maintain and share a free material bank for teachers and instructors. The material bank constitutes of the internationally distinguished project work and educational practices.

Research and development

To understand and improve what we do on StarT-programme, we carry out research related project-based learning. Below are listed some published articles related to StarT-activities. For a more comprensive list, see LUMA Centre Finland’s website.

Haatainen, O., & Aksela, M. (2021). Project-based learning in integrated science education: Active teachers’ perceptions and practices. LUMAT: International Journal on Math, Science and Technology Education, 9(1), 149–173. https://doi.org/10.31129/LUMAT.9.1.1392
Aksela, M. K. & Haatainen, O. M. (2019). Project-Based Learning (PBL) in Practise: Active Teachers’ Views of Its’ Advantages And Challenges. Integrated Education for the Real World: 5th International STEM in Education Conference Post-Conference Proceedings. The Queensland University of Technology, p. 9-16 8 p.
Markula, A. (2019). Interdisciplinary biology teaching through project-based learning: the design of a MOOC for teachers. Master’s thesis. Helsinki: The University of Helsinki.
Viro, E., & Joutsenlahti, J. (2018). The StarT Project Competition from the Perspective of Mathematics and Academic Literacy. Educ. Sci. 8(2), 67..

Organized by the LUMA Centre Finland

The owner of StarT is LUMA Centre Finland, a STEM network of 11 science and technology universities in Finland. StarT has been an important part of its yearly action plan since 2016. The LUMA StarT programme is organized internationally in collaboration with partner countries. In addition, we thank our sponsors and all collaboration partners for their valuable contribution in bringing this programme to life.

Contact us

For more information, you can reach our team at luma-keskus((at))helsinki.fi

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the latest news and events organized by LUMA Centre Finland and our partners. Subscribe our newsletter here.

Director of StarT and the LUMA Centre Finland

Prof., Ph.D. Maija Aksela
University of Helsinki, Finland / LUMA Centre Finland
Discover more through the University of Helsinki Research Portal

Join us in the LUMA StarT programme and be part of a global community dedicated to fostering a love for STEM through collaborative, project-based learning. Together, we can inspire and empower the next generation of innovators!