STEAM on board

“STEAM on Board” is an immersive, hands-on workshop designed for students aged 12–15, combining science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics in an unforgettable maritime setting.  The program invites participants to step into the shoes of scientists, mechanics, artists, and journalists, each with a unique mission to fulfill. Upon assigned to one of these roles, participants will form small, collaborative teams where they will get involved in STEAM activities like investigating the natural and physical phenomena connected to life at sea, exploring the ship’s engineering, mechanisms, designing tools and instruments that aid sea voyages, while transforming their observations into artworks and documenting  the unfolding story. 

The workshop is built around Harvard’s Project Zero thinking routines that will be used as tools for observation, ideation and prototype. Participants will be guided to look closely at clues, raise meaningful questions, and connect their findings to broader themes. As they move through this learning experience, they will encounter riddles to solve, hands-on experiments to conduct, and design challenges to overcome. These activities encourage them to think like scientists, act as engineers, design like artists and document like journalists while deepening their understanding of the historical and cultural context of this unique vessel. The museum boat setting becomes a living laboratory and creative studio, where knowledge is not only gathered but also constructed through dialogue and shared problem-solving. 

By the end of the workshop, each group will be encouraged to transform its journey into a wall-newspaper—a collaborative creation around themes that might range from environmental stewardship and sustainable engineering to cultural heritage. This final piece serves as a narration of the team’s unique path through the workshop, presents their solutions and creations, and communicates a strong, purposeful message connected to their mission. 

“STEAM on Board” fosters an exciting learning environment where curiosity drives exploration and teamwork shapes outcomes. Participants not only strengthen their problem-solving abilities, creativity, and communication skills, but also develop confidence in presenting their creations. They experience first-hand how scientific investigation, technical skill, artistic vision, and journalistic storytelling can intersect to create richer understandings and more impactful messages. 

This workshop is ideal for audiences seeking interactive, educational programming that combines heritage, innovation, and creative expression. It offers a fresh way to engage with STEAM disciplines through experiential learning in a unique maritime setting, inspiring the next generation of thinkers, makers, and storytellers—one voyage at a time.  

Dr. Kiriaki Melliou

Dr. Kiriaki Melliou is a Postdoctoral Educational Consultant at the Directorate of Primary Education of Piraeus and a contributing author to Greece’s national Curriculum for Early Childhood Education. She has collaborated extensively with Harvard's Project Zero, leading and participating in numerous national and international scientific initiatives that have received recognition from the Greek Ministry of Education, the Council of Europe and OECD. Her research centers on fostering competencies within Design Thinking, Computational Thinking, and STEAM education. With over 40 published research papers and presentations at major international conferences, she combines academic rigor with a passion for innovative, learner-centered education. 

LindekIn Dr Kiriaki Melliou

Angeliki Liapi

Angeliki Liapi, is an ME.d Pre-school Educator and ICT & Special Education Specialist, as well as an eTwinning & Scientix Ambassador. She applies learner-centered and differentiated instruction across STE(A)M education, multiple literacies, computational and design thinking, and 21st-century skills in early childhood education. 

LinkedIn Angeliki Liapi