STEPAM

STEPAM APPROACH IN CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION
– CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES –

International Conference organized by the Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina, Serbia

Jagodina, 11–12 May 2026
stream.fpnj@gmail.com

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CONFERENCE INVITATION

The Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, is organizing an international conference entitled STEPAM Approach in Contemporary Education – Challenges and Perspectives.The conference represents one of the activities of the international Erasmus+ project Teacher Training in Physical Activities and Embodied Learning through STEAM Education – STE(PA)M, conducted by the University of Kragujevac – Faculty of Education in Jagodina as coordinator, in partnership with the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) and Johannes Kepler University Linz (Austria).

STEPAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Physical Activities, Arts & Mathematics) represents an expanded and developed concept of integrative education that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. This approach is based on connecting scientific, technological, and artistic fields with physical education, aiming at the holistic development of learners, encompassing cognitive, creative, physical, social, and emotional dimensions.

A particular value of the STEPAM concept lies in its interdisciplinary and open structure, which allows for the inclusion of new scientific disciplines and educational perspectives in the future, in line with the development of science, technology, and the needs of contemporary society.

The aim of the conference is to provide a space for:

• presenting the results of scientific research and project activities in the field of the STEPAM approach (from STEM to STEPAM);
• exchanging theoretical and practical experiences in the field of interdisciplinary education;
• critically examining the challenges and perspectives of applying STEPAM, as well as STEM/STEAM/STREAM concepts in various educational contexts;
• connecting researchers, teachers, and experts from different disciplines;
• discussing contributions to the development of contemporary education based on knowledge integration, experiential learning, and active participation of children.

The thematic areas of the conference include:

• theoretical and methodological foundations of the STEPAM/STEM/STEAM/STREAM approach;
• new roles of participants in educational work within the contemporary STEPAM/STEM/STEAM/STREAM approach;
• linking science, technology, arts, and physical education in teaching;
• developing key competencies for the 21st century through the STEPAM/STEM/STEAM/STREAM approach;
• possibilities for further development of the STEPAM concept through the introduction of new disciplines (from STEM to STEAM_?_… approach).

However, the conference is not limited to these topics, as it serves, as part of the international STEPAM project, as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, networking, and joint reflection on future directions for the development of interdisciplinary educational models aimed at the holistic development of students.

The conference will be held in a hybrid format (in-person and online), with plenary and thematic sessions. Participants may submit abstracts and papers in one of the conference languages (Serbian or English). Papers will be published in the conference proceedings after peer review.

Abstract and topic submission
Paper Guidelines

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Plenary speakers:

Program Committee:

Prof. Dr. Zsolt Lavicza, Johannes Kepler University Linz
Prof. Dr. Kristóf Fenyvesi, Finnish Institute for Educational Research, University of Jyväskylä
Josephine Lau, Finnish Institute for Educational Research, University of Jyväskylä
Guillermo Bautista, MA, Johannes Kepler University Linz
Abril Armente Franco, PhD, Johannes Kepler University Linz
Prof. Dr. Nenad Vulović, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina
Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Ignjatović, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina
Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Mihajlović, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina
Prof. Dr. Ivana Ćirković-Miladinović, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina
Prof. Dr. Dušan Ristanović, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina
Prof. Dr. Olivera Cekić-Jovanović, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina
Prof. Dr. Živorad Marković, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina
Prof. Dr. Miloš Đorđević, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina
Prof. Dr. Marija Stanojević Veselinović, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gordana Stepić, Faculty of Education, University of Kragujevac, Jagodina

Organizing Committee

Jelena Joksimović
Jelena Josijević Mitić
Ivana Milić
Andrijana Miletić
Jovana Đorđević
Nina Eremić
Suzana Đorđević
Milan Komnenović
Nedeljko Milanović
Ivana Obradović
Marija Malenović
Sanja Stojiljković
Jelena Jančić
Stefan Ljubomirović
Ilija Petrović
Vlada Stanojević

Important Dates

Deadline for abstract submission: 1 March 2026
Notification of abstract acceptance: 15 March 2026
Deadline for full paper submission: 1 May 2026
Conference dates: 11–12 May 2026
Notification of Paper Acceptance for Publication in the Conference Proceedings: 1 July 2026

The conference working languages are Serbian and English.

Registration
Registration fee is paid per paper, under the name of the first author.

Fee amounts:
In-person participation: 50е (includes conference program, refreshments, lunch, participation certificate, and proceedings)
Online participation: 20е
PhD students: 20е

The instruction for paying the participation fee will be published later.

Abstract and topic submission: https://forms.gle…

For further information, please contact: stream.fpnj@gmail.com

Participants may present in-person at the faculty premises or online via ZOOM. Each presentation will last 15 minutes, followed by a 5-minute discussion.

Paper Guidelines