About the project

 

The ‘Bridging the Digital Divide in Education’ initiative, brought by Scientix® STEM Alliance and Xiaomi, a consumer electronics manufacturing company, aims to support disadvantaged educational institutions with the tech tools they need to meet the challenges of our increasingly digital society. These institutions may include formal and informal education providers such as schools, STEM clubs, or educational centres.

The initiative will unfold in two phases. First, we will explore the challenges faced by educators and school leadership in under-resourced environments, gaining insights into the tools and support they consider essential for success. Based on these findings, we will provide selected institutions with technological equipment and training, empowering them to enhance their teaching and learning experiences.

 

Phase 1

 

Phase 1 (Jan 2025 – June 2025) will research the daily challenges faced by under-resourced schools and centres and identify their needs to prepare their students for the Digital transition. Through an extensive survey disseminated widely throughout Europe and the world as part of the Scientix STEM Discovery Campaign, we will explore the impact of the lack of technology and training on teaching and learning experiences.

During the STEM Discovery Campaign 2025 we will identify schools, science clubs, and educational centres across Europe with limited access to technology. A selection of these organizations will be invited to take part in the Phase 2 pilot program.

Phase 2

 

In Phase 2 (July 2025 – Dec 2025), we will equip ten schools or organizations identified during the campaign with ten tablets each to observe how Xiaomi’s technology could impact teaching and learning while helping these institutions bridge the digital divide and accelerate the digital transition in education. Through a structured feedback process, we will gather educators' insights on their experience with Xiaomi products and the overall initiative.

 

European Schoolnet's Pilot Methodology

 

The European Schoolnet's pilot methodology has been implemented and refined for more than 20 years, making it a reliable tool to engage with educators and educational experts to test, refine, and mainstream pedagogies, practices, and technologies in practical settings.

Through publicly and privately funded pilot projects and initiatives, EUN identifies the needs of educators and schools and the challenges they face to produce an extensive knowledge foundation to support and optimise the object(s) of the pilot.

Aiming to facilitate practical validation by users , but also to amplify the impact of the innovations and tools tested, EUN pilot initiatives can also include professional development opportunities and dissemination campaigns (in partnership with the European Schoolnet Academy and Scientix®).

 

 

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Xiaomi on this encouraging initiative, especially with the offering of their devices and smart platform to both, equip underserved youth with essential digital tools and enhance educational experiences through our extensive network across Europe. Together, we are working to create a meaningful impact on inspiring a culture of innovation that prepares youth to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape."
Marc Durando, European Schoolnet Executive Director