What We Do

Science and Me: “Empowering Young Science Educators to Inspire Future Innovators”

Home What We Do Leadership Development Science and Me: “Empowering Young Science Educators to Inspire Future Innovators”

Leadership Development Program

Science and Me is a multi-year educational initiative led by Macedonia2025 and supported by Johnson Matthey Community Impact Program "Science and Me", committed to advancing science education across Macedonia. The project aims to build the capacities of young and early-career teachers - primarily those teaching grades 5-9, and to a lesser extent, grades 1-5 - by equipping them with modern, practical, and engaging science teaching methodologies.
Since 2023, Science and Me aims to spark a lifelong interest in science among students while building a strong and sustainable professional development ecosystem for educators. As it enters this new phase, the project continues to expand its impact by delivering meaningful STEM learning experiences nationwide - with a strong focus on inclusion, particularly for girls, ethnic minorities, and students from underserved communities.

Key Activities:

Professional Development Workshops for teachers with 0-5 years of experience, focused on inquiry-based learning, hands-on experimentation, and project-based teaching. Workshops are co-designed and delivered in partnership with the Bureau for Development of Education (BRO) and include the active involvement of certified teacher-mentors who support and guide participants throughout the year.
Teacher Mentorship Program, pairing newly trained educators with experienced science mentors to ensure ongoing peer support, exchange of best practices, and professional growth during the school year.
Regional Science Fairs, where students in grades 6-8 present their science projects under the guidance of their teachers and mentors. These fairs foster creativity, collaboration, and curiosity, while younger teachers gain exposure to science engagement practices by helping organize the events.
Science Kits for Classrooms, distributed to some participating teachers, including lab materials, science posters, and digital tools to enrich science lessons and promote experimentation.
Field Visits to the Johnson Matthey plant in Skopje and local research institutions, offering students firsthand exposure to scientific innovation and real-world STEM careers.
"Science for the Future" Campaign showcases inspirational stories and testimonials from participating teachers and students, helping promote science education and raise awareness about STEM opportunities.
Small-Scale Research and Evaluation, including pre- and post-training self-assessment surveys to track improvements in teacher confidence, motivation, and classroom practices.

By working closely with educational institutions, mentors, and STEM industry leaders, Science and Me is helping to cultivate a new generation of science educators and learners ready to explore, innovate, and lead.

Expected results of the project are:

Empowered Science Educators

Early-career teachers will gain practical skills, confidence, and ongoing support through training and mentorship, strengthening the overall quality of science teaching in primary education.

Student STEM Engagement

Students, especially those in grades 5-9, will benefit from more interactive and inclusive science education - sparking curiosity, improving engagement, and encouraging future interest in STEM careers.

Inclusive and Equitable Access to STEM

The project will expand opportunities for girls, ethnic minorities, and students from underserved communities to participate meaningfully in science education and activities.

Sustainable Professional Development Ecosystem

A long-term mentorship model and collaboration with national institutions will help embed continuous learning and peer support into the education system.

Testimonials

Teacher, Kicevo

The science fair was an amazing experience filled with energy and teamwork. Students learned how to present confidently, work in teams, and express creativity. They were proud to show their work to peers and guests, and many of them said they felt like real scientists for the first time.

Teacher, Skopje

It was inspiring to see how enthusiastic the students were. They proudly showcased their projects and were thrilled to receive feedback from visitors. The event created a spirit of cooperation among schools and ignited new ideas for future experiments and cross-school collaboration.

Teacher, Radovish

My students felt like real scientists! They were thrilled to be part of such a large event and said it motivated them to explore science even more. They asked when the next event would be and already have ideas for future projects. This was a powerful confidence boost for them.

Student, Skopje

I had a really interesting and fun time at the Science Fair - it was like entering a world full of ideas and discoveries! I learned new things, and I was most impressed by the experiments and modern equipment at Johnson Matthey. I would recommend all students to go, because it is a unique and unforgettable experience!

Student, Skopje

I really liked the Science Fair - like a paradise of science with new experiences and discoveries! So many creative things that I saw for the first time. A place to learn and discover new scientific breakthroughs! You really should visit it at least once, because that energy is invaluable. I had a wonderful experience!

Teacher, Shemshevo

The science fair was a great opportunity to promote scientific curiosity, critical thinking and teamwork among students, who presented their experiments to the audience with great dedication. I want to express my special gratitude to the organizers of the Science and Me project and the Macedonia2025 team for their support, professionalism and vision, which enabled us to be part of a true celebration of knowledge and inspiration.

Teacher, Sveti Nikole

The training was well organized and gave us new ideas on how to make science more interesting and accessible for students. It was inspiring and offered practical tools. We shared teaching methods and discussed how to adapt them to different classroom environments. These insights made me reflect on how to improve my own teaching practice.

Teacher, Negotino

Through practical examples and peer mentoring, I refreshed my own knowledge and learned how to support fellow teachers more effectively. The mentor discussions opened space for collaboration, and I now feel more confident in guiding my younger colleagues.

Teacher, Vinica

This training motivated me to be more creative and dedicated as a teacher. I feel empowered to approach science education more engagingly. It gave me the tools to present complex topics in a more approachable and fun manner, helping students stay curious and motivated.

Teacher, Skopje

Participating in the training within the project Science and Me was a great motivation and inspiration for me. Through practical examples and interactive exercises, I learned new approaches to bringing science closer to students, interestingly and understandably. The training encouraged me to be more creative and more dedicated as a teacher.

Student, Sveti Nikole

Visiting the Johnson Matthey factory was an unforgettable experience. We saw advanced technologies and real-world applications of science in action. The students were fascinated by how school subjects like chemistry and physics play a role in environmental protection and product innovation.

Student, Radovish

During the JM visit, the lab was my favorite part - seeing physical and chemical tests up close was incredible. It showed us the precision required in modern industry. It made me appreciate how science is not just theory but a key part of how the world works.

Macedonia2025

Follow Us

Science and Me: “Empowering Young Science Educators to Inspire Future Innovators”

What We Do

Leadership Development Program

Key Activities:

Expected results of the project are:

Empowered Science Educators

Student STEM Engagement

Inclusive and Equitable Access to STEM

Sustainable Professional Development Ecosystem

Testimonials

Teacher, Kicevo

Teacher, Skopje

Teacher, Radovish

Student, Skopje

Student, Skopje

Teacher, Shemshevo

Teacher, Sveti Nikole

Teacher, Negotino

Teacher, Vinica

Teacher, Skopje

Student, Sveti Nikole

Student, Radovish

Explore Macedonia 2025

t

Follow Us

Science and Me: “Empowering Young Science Educators to Inspire Future Innovators”

What We Do

Leadership Development Program

Key Activities:

Expected results of the project are:

Empowered Science Educators

Student STEM Engagement

Inclusive and Equitable Access to STEM

Sustainable Professional Development Ecosystem

Testimonials

Teacher, Kicevo

Teacher, Skopje

Teacher, Radovish

Student, Skopje

Student, Skopje

Teacher, Shemshevo

Teacher, Sveti Nikole

Teacher, Negotino

Teacher, Vinica

Teacher, Skopje

Student, Sveti Nikole

Student, Radovish

Related News