About eduCentrum.

eduCentrum is a Belgium-based non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and advancing STEM education, maker education and game based learning: code, make, game!

We engage children and youngsters aged 5 to 25 in hands-on learning and professionalise education with a wide range of tools:

  • coding with Bee-bots, iPad apps, Scratch, LEGO Education, Arduino, Python;
  • making with 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, iPad apps;
  • gaming with off-the-shelf games, co-op games, Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, VR, AR, …

These tools are a means to focus on creativity, entrepreneurship, talents, well-being and e-inclusion.

Our longest running project (since 2014) Fyxxi, focuses on STEM-ICT education both during and after school hours.

Our new project (º2024) GameHive, helps young people in their well-being by (re)discovering their talents and potential through engaging activities like games, virtual reality, 3D printing and vinyl cutting.

In another project do.IT.school (º2024) we are professionalising secondary school teachers through hands-on training to increase their students’ digital competencies in STEM, GenAI, Canva and other tools. We are experienced trainers in AI @ school.

In all these projects we welcome class groups and their teachers for workshops aligned with the curriculum during school hours. After school, we offer camps during holidays and individual after-school activities, such as Wednesday afternoon sessions.

We also provide professional development for teachers in their schools, helping them integrate coding, making, gaming and AI into their classrooms with easy-to-use lesson plans and rental options for hardware to make these tools more affordable for schools.

Beyond these projects, eduCentrum is committed to supporting education at large.
We keep over 20,000 subscribers informed through newsletters, we offer affordable rentals of hardware (such as iPads and laptops) and meeting/training facilities, we organize several teacher training programs and we write and publish textbooks for technology education and computational thinking.

We are also proud to be a supporting partner of ICT-praktijkdag, a major event where 1,000 teachers gather for hands-on workshops, designed to inspire educators to embrace edtech in their teaching practices.

Contact us

Are you searching for partners for your next Erasmus+ project? We are interested!
Contact us using:
info@educentrum.be.

PIF (Partner Information Form) eduCentrum vzw

Activities and experience

We offer STEAM-workshops (coding, making and gaming) every day, welcoming children aged 5 and older to explore and engage with cutting-edge technology.

During school hours, we host class groups along with their teachers, providing curriculum-linked workshops that enhance their learning experience. After school, we organize holiday camps and individual activities, including Wednesday afternoon sessions.

We also offer professional development for teachers, helping them integrate edtech into their classrooms effectively. Our workshops come with user-friendly lesson materials, and we offer hardware rentals to help schools reduce costs.

Our focus on class groups allows us to reach as many children as possible, including those from underprivileged backgrounds. For our after-school programs, we collaborate with other organisations and companies to ensure we make these opportunities available to all children.

Erasmus + programs

We have been a part of different Erasmus + programs starting from 2016.
An overview:

Team

Hans De Four

Hans De Four

Hans De Four is the coordinator and founder of eduCentrum (º2007).

In 1998, as a teacher of ICT and mathematics, he started with a platform where teachers exchanged open educational resources (OER). The project – KlasCement.net – grew exponentially and in 2013 KlasCement had so much recognition that the Ministry of Education decided to implement it in its policy. It’s one of the most successful OER networks in Europe. It is known as a good example of engaging teachers to share content.

In 2002 Hans started organising ICT-events by and for teachers with hands-on workshops. The ICT-praktijkdag has become one of the most inspiring educational events consisting of a conference with 10 keynotes, more than 100 workshops, about 40 booths and 1000 visitors.

Since 2020 he started organising several other events to connect teachers and edtech with impact: the online ICT week, a webinar series on AI in education, an event about games in education, an online edtech market, …

Thanks to these events and online platforms we have a huge network of schools and edtech professionals in Flanders.

He’s strong in using this important network to write winning project proposals.

Kevin Bostoen

Kevin Bostoen

Kevin has joined our team in 2017, after teaching in a secondary school, accumulating over 10 years of experience in teaching mathematics, engineering and physics.

At eduCentrum, Kevin leads a wide range of workshops for children, students and teachers from kindergarten to upper secondary school.
He is well-versed in various tools and AI and creates comprehensive teaching materials to accompany them.

With a passion for robotics, Kevin excels at connecting programming concepts to different subjects. Additionally, as a supervisor for playground and holiday programs in Ghent, he has extensive experience working with children from vulnerable communities.

Lander Van der Biest

Lander Van der Biest

Lander Van der Biest joined eduCentrum in 2024 and brings a unique combination of expertise in game-based learning, educational innovation, and event coordination.

With a solid background in leveraging video games as educational tools, Lander has successfully spearheaded multiple projects that merge technology with pedagogy to engage students and enhance digital competencies.

The innovative GameHive initiative demonstrates his ability to transform entertainment media into platforms for learning and skill development, focusing on STEAM education and fostering creativity in students.

As a seasoned trainer, Lander frequently delivers workshops and presentations on integrating games into classroom settings, catering to teachers across all educational levels. His practical and creative approach ensures that educators leave with actionable strategies to make learning more engaging and impactful.

Lander’s extensive network spans educational institutions, policymakers and tech companies, including collaborations with leading companies in edtech and gaming.

Driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to inclusivity, Lander focuses on creating accessible educational solutions that inspire both students and teachers to embrace digital learning.

Patsy Billemon

Patsy Billemon

Patsy holds degrees in Geology and Education, providing her with a strong foundation in science and a deep understanding of environmental challenges.

Over the years, she has pursued diverse career paths, including an internship at UNESCO, roles as an archaeologist and environmental engineer, and teaching at a nature reserve.

She joined our team in 2023 and has since been responsible for delivering workshops on programming, STE(A)M tools, ICT programs, and more to both children and teachers.
With her creative flair, Patsy is our go-to expert for Cricut and Canva.

In the JUGAAD Erasmus+ project, she played a pivotal role in designing and leading various workshops, as well as assisting with layout, editing, and organization within Canva.

Mario Kicken

Mario is an enthusiastic computer science teacher and a dedicated ICT coordinator with a strong passion for both technology and education.

As an EdTech expert, he is highly skilled in a wide range of tools and technologies.

He thrives on sharing knowledge and fostering connections, and has played a key role as a co-organizer of numerous educational events, including the ICT-praktijkdag.

Mario is also highly competent in coordination and administration, embracing these responsibilities with ease.