RUN-EU Future Innovation Lab MaM

The Short Advanced Programme (SAP) ‘Designing and implementing STEAM-activities in the future innovation lab of your university (in an extracurricular context) – second edition’ is coördinated by Howest University of Applied Sciences (Howest) and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (NHL Stenden).

This programme is designed to train future facilitators — including students, researchers, educators, and external professionals — to design and implement high-quality STEAM activities for children and young people aged 6 to 18 within the extracurricular setting of the university’s Future Innovation Lab. Participants are not expected to have prior experience with STEAM education or activity design, but they are motivated to become active contributors to the development and implementation of youth programming in their institution’s lab.

The third edition of this SAP STEAMPRO will take place in Galați in 2027, in collaboration with NHL Stenden. More information will be available soon.

On Sunday, 15 November 2026, Howest University of Applied Sciences (Kortrijk and Bruges) will host the RUN-EU Innovation Day.

The event will bring together visitors of all ages to explore how science, technology and research come to life at Howest, while engaging with key themes such as mobility, sustainability and urban living. Visitors will also have the opportunity to discover our Future Innovation Lab and learn more about Tinkerverse.

How can children and young people learn more effectively through STEAM and Maker Education? This is the question Howest is exploring together with partners from eight European countries through the Tinkerverse project. The partners are developing new learning trajectories for children and young people aged 3-15. In spring 2027, Howest will pilot the first trajectories with Flemish schools in Bruges.

Overall, the RUN-EU Innovation Day promises to be an inspiring day of curiosity, creativity and innovation.

In February 2027, Howest once again brings together university and secondary school students for the RUN-EU Innothon at the Future Innovation Lab in Bruges.

During this three-day innovation hackathon, participants collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to tackle a real-world challenge linked to the theme Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Working closely with the City of Bruges and local organisations, they explore how art and architecture can contribute to new ways of living together. Inspired by the theme of TRIBRU27, After Birth – Structures of Togetherness, participants investigate how design, technology and creativity can foster new forms of togetherness, social interaction and inclusion.

Guided by the Design Thinking methodology, participants analyse the context, generate ideas, develop prototypes and present their solutions to a jury of experts and local stakeholders. Where possible, they work towards a shared prototype or collaborative creation that brings together different disciplines and perspectives.

The Innothon offers a hands-on learning experience that fosters creativity, collaboration and critical thinking, empowering young people to contribute to the city of tomorrow.

The TECHMOVE / MaM Camp offers a unique blend of technology, movement, creativity, and STEAM learning for young participants. Throughout the week, children explore futuristic and science fiction themes through hands-on activities such as building drones courses, creating stop-motion animations, and experimenting with virtual reality. Combined with active gaming and innovative sports technology, the camp stimulates both the mind and body while fostering creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a playful and engaging environment.