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WUNU STEM School: synergy between education, the city, and innovation for community development

Дата: 10-10-2025, 13:19 | Автор: Відділ інформації та зв'язків з громадськістю

 Recently, the STEM Lab at the Education and Research Centre for Communications at the West Ukrainian National University hosted a round table discussion entitled "City, Education, Innovation: Synergy for Community Development," which brought together representatives of educational institutions: education authorities, schools, and universities, as well as non-governmental organizations and international partners to discuss ways to create an innovative educational environment for young people.


During the event, the STEM project of WUNU, the activities of the STEM Lab, and the newly established STEM School were presented, as well as the teaching team that implements the curriculum focused on developing analytical thinking, technological literacy, creativity, and leadership qualities of gifted children and students.


Olha Khoma, Director of the Department of Education and Science of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration, took part in the round table discussion and noted the importance of such initiatives for creating a competitive educational environment and supporting talented young people in the region.


The participants were welcomed by Viktor Ostroverkhov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Research of WUNU, who emphasized that the university is currently focusing its efforts on developing an innovative educational environment, strengthening cooperation with communities, and creating an environment in which young people can realize their potential.


Lesia Buyak, Head of the Department of Economic Cybernetics and Informatics, emphasized the role of STEM education as a catalyst for innovative thinking and practical skills necessary for the new generation of Ukrainians. She stressed that such initiatives not only shape a culture of scientific research and technological creativity among schoolchildren, but also create a strong foundation for future studies at WUNU, in particular for students enrolled in the study program “Vocational Education: Digital Technologies,” which combines pedagogy, innovation, and digital transformation of education.


The initiative is being implemented with the support of the Ukrainian-American partnership featuring the VOVK Foundation, BlueCheck Ukraine, and the International Institute of Communications NGO. During the round table, Yuriy Vovchuk, founder and CEO of the VOVK Foundation, joined the participants online and emphasized that investment in education is the most valuable contribution to the restoration and development of society. Mr. Vovchuk stressed the importance of creating an environment where science, technology, and creativity are combined with the values of humanism and partnership, and identified the Ternopil STEM project as the most exemplary of all initiatives implemented with the support of the foundation.


The round table was attended by directors of leading educational institutions in Ternopil – Mykola Fedoruts, Ihor Karazia, Ruslana Kozbur, Oleksandr Ostapchuk, and Halyna Kostiuk, as well as Oksana Solovei, representative of the Ternopil Municipal Methodological Center for Scientific and Educational Innovation and Monitoring.


The event was moderated by Oksana Koval, director of the WUNU Education and Research Centre for Communications, associate professor, head of the STEM project, and chair of the board of the International Institute of Communications NGO.


During the round table discussion, the latest innovative equipment of the STEM laboratory was presented, which opens up wide opportunities for pupils and students to conduct research, modeling, and experiments in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Diana Boiko, coordinator of the WUNU STEM laboratory, spoke about the technical capabilities, emphasizing that it is thanks to modern teaching tools that children can move from theory to practice and implement their own ideas in the form of real projects.


The STEM School teaching team presented educational courses designed specifically for high school students who want to develop technological, critical, and creative thinking skills. The team brings together university specialists, psychologists, IT experts, and practicing teachers who help young people discover their potential and think in terms of the future. Among them are Maria Brygadyr (psychology of confidence and resilience), Oksana Bashutska (mathematics and decision logic), Nazar Ivanitsky and Diana Krysak (digital design and 3D modeling), Viktoria Korobii (STEM-English Pitching Lab), Valentyn Malenchak (computer modeling).


As a result, the roundtable participants agreed on further cooperation between the university, schools, and partners in implementing innovative educational practices united by a common goal—to create an environment for children where science, creativity, and technology become a way of thinking and acting.


After all, the WUNU STEM School is not just an educational initiative, but a platform for developing future leaders who combine technology, creativity, and social responsibility. It is a space where talented young people from the Ternopil region learn to think broadly, act boldly, and create change for their city and country.