The University of Burgos leads an ambitious European strategy to revolutionize teaching through ‘Maker’ culture
The University of Burgos (UBU) has officially launched the TINKERVERSE – SkillBuilders Lab: Tinker, Discover, Learn! project, a cutting-edge initiative funded by the Erasmus+ program (Ref. 101259498) that aims to transform the European educational model.
On May 7th and 8th, the UBU Faculty of Education hosted experts from eight countries for a Kick-off Meeting to design the master lines of this project, which will span the next three years. Led by UBU within the RUN-EU university alliance, TINKERVERSE is not a conventional educational project; it focuses on “Maker Education”. Through interdisciplinary, hands-on, and project-based methodologies, it seeks to drive a systemic transformation in teaching and learning practices across Europe.
The consortium brings together 9 main partners from 7 EU countries and 1 non-EU country: UBU and CFIE Burgos (Spain), HAMK (Finland), HOWEST (Belgium), IPCA (Portugal), NHL Stenden (Netherlands), ReadLab (Greece), Galati/GAL (Romania), and Friends of Education (North Macedonia), along with associated partners and collaborators from other European territories, including Ukraine and Moldova.
It is important to note that these types of projects, linked to the Erasmus+ KA3/Policy Innovation dimension, are not limited to producing educational materials; they aim to generate systemic change, public policy recommendations, transferable models, and alliances between universities, schools, local administrations, and communities. The project’s primary focus is the creation of a “hub-and-satellite” model. This will enable the establishment of regional innovation clusters where central Maker spaces support surrounding schools, with a special emphasis on rural and disadvantaged areas. Through these infrastructures, tailored activities will be developed for students aged 3 to 15.
These dynamics will range from digital storytelling and environmental monitoring to experiments with Artificial Intelligence, enhancing their cognitive, digital, and transversal skills. In addition to the planning sessions for the various work packages held at the Faculty of Education, partners had the opportunity to visit La Estación de la Ciencia y la Tecnología and the CFIE Burgos facilities—two key spaces for educational innovation in the city.
The awarding of TINKERVERSE is particularly significant given the highly competitive and strategic nature of the Erasmus+ “Forward-Looking” call. Out of hundreds of proposals submitted across Europe, only a select number of projects—approximately 3 to 4 per specific topic—manage to exceed the European Commission’s strict excellence thresholds.
The fact that the University of Burgos leads this initiative places the institution at the forefront of continental educational innovation. This project consolidates Burgos on the map of pedagogical innovation and social progress. The city projects itself as a vanguard environment that will benefit from educational improvements and an international teaching staff prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century.