As part of the CoTEDI project, we also carry out diverse dissemination and awareness-raising actions that fall outside the scope of classroom-based activities or formal training. These include one-off school visits to give talks on computational thinking, presentations in teacher conferences, contributions to educational fairs, or public demonstrations of our resources. Although these sessions are usually shorter and less structured, they play a key role in spreading the project’s vision, connecting with broader audiences, and generating interest among educators, researchers, and the general public.
Date: May 23, 2025
On May 23, 2025, María Zapata Cáceres delivered a keynote lecture titled “Computational Thinking: Development and Assessment Across Educational Stages” during the 9th StoryCode International Conference. The event took place at the Universidad Europea de Madrid, within the broader context of the 9th Conference on Child and Youth Mental Health, Neurodevelopment, and Context.
Her session explored how Computational Thinking (CT) can be effectively introduced, developed, and assessed from early childhood through secondary education. Drawing from both academic research and practical experience, the presentation included strategies for integrating CT into curricula in age-appropriate and inclusive ways, highlighting tools, frameworks, and real examples from the Erasmus+ CoTEDI project.
This international event brought together educators, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss STEAM narrative coding, innovation in education, and inclusion through technology. María’s contribution helped frame CT not only as a cognitive skill but also as a pedagogical opportunity to foster equity and creativity in diverse learning environments.
Link: Conference Info
Video: Watch the talk
Date: May 19th, 2025
On May 19th, 2025, the final in-person conference of the AI Teacher Training Program, titled Artificial Intelligence: Basic Educational Activities for All Ages and Subjects (3rd Edition), was held in Madrid. The event was organized by the Regional Ministry of Education of the Community of Madrid, in collaboration with Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and the CoTEDI project. It brought together experts, educators, and practitioners to discuss the pedagogical applications of artificial intelligence and computational thinking in educational contexts, from early childhood to high school.
The conference began with opening remarks by key representatives, including David Cervera (Community of Madrid), César Cáceres (Vice-Rector, URJC), and Gregorio Robles (URJC). Several thematic talks followed:
Jesús M. González Barahona introduced locally operable generative AI tools, focusing on models that run directly on users’ computers for text and image generation.
Jesús Moreno León presented a social impact project funded by Google.org and the Centre for Public Impact, aimed at promoting inclusion through AI education.
María Zapata Cáceres and Gregorio Robles Martínez shared ongoing research from URJC on computational thinking and AI in educational settings.
Chema González Morón showcased hands-on AI activities developed in a public primary school in Madrid.
Francisco Javier Álvarez Jiménez discussed pedagogically sound, privacy-conscious AI applications in the classroom.
Jorge Lobo Martínez explored the intersection of robotics and AI in primary education using Echidna and LearningML tools.
Natalia Galbán presented a project from El Molino School (Pamplona) that integrates AI and computational thinking into inclusive education for students with intellectual disabilities.
The conference closed with a session that emphasized collaboration and sharing of best practices for the effective and ethical use of AI in schools.
This event marked the culmination of a months-long training initiative that reached 250 teachers and contributed to shaping inclusive, forward-looking approaches to digital education.
Date: February 11, 2025
As part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a session was held at CEIP Príncipe de Asturias to introduce primary school students to key concepts in artificial intelligence, computer science, and online safety. The activity, conducted by Estefanía Martín (member of the CoTEDI project) and Clara Simón, included an interactive talk using the INCIBE’s decision tree on digital contacts, demonstrations with AI tools such as LearningML, and a reflection on the ethical and practical applications of computer science.
This initiative aims to bring female scientific role models into the classroom and inspire young students to explore technological and scientific careers from an early age.
Date: 11 February 2025
To commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, María Zapata Cáceres (representing the Erasmus+ CoTEDI project) participated in the round table of the event The Science of the Future Starts Here, organised by the Regional Ministry of Education, Science and Universities of the Community of Madrid. Held in the assembly hall of the ETSI Aeronáutica y del Espacio, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), the event brought together around 200 secondary school students from public and state-assisted schools. Several female scientists shared their experiences and views to inspire future vocations in STEM.
More information can be found in the official news article from UPM:
🔗 https://www.etsiae.upm.es/index.php?id=141&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=739&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=536ecbba43701c629bcde53bfc487134
Date: 13/02/2024
To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) carried out an outreach activity at CEIP Príncipe de Asturias (Madrid, Spain), aimed at raising awareness among primary school students about artificial intelligence and computer science.
Two female researchers from URJC, Estefanía Martín and Clara Simón, delivered a dynamic and interactive session introducing the basics of artificial intelligence. The session covered concepts such as decision trees and machine learning using engaging tools like LearningML. The presentation also addressed real-world applications of AI in fields such as healthcare, education, and entertainment, and discussed issues like algorithmic bias in a visual and age-appropriate way.
The students participated actively, reflecting on how AI is present in their daily lives and exploring its potential through playful examples like Akinator and image recognition demos.
This initiative, part of URJC’s commitment to inclusive STEM education, aimed to inspire young learners—especially girls—to imagine themselves as future scientists, engineers, or technology creators.
Date: 07/03/2024
As part of the XIII edition of the Madrid es Ciencia fair, María Zapata-Cáceres delivered a public talk titled “¿Cómo desarrollo mi pensamiento computacional?”, organized by the Comunidad de Madrid and hosted in the Ágora madri+d space.
The session was aimed at the general public, including children, families, and teachers, and explored how computational thinking can be developed across different contexts and life stages. Through accessible examples and a clear, engaging narrative, the speaker explained the value of computational thinking as a problem-solving tool in both education and everyday life.
The event highlighted the importance of making these concepts understandable and relevant to all audiences, reinforcing the role of science fairs in promoting inclusive scientific culture.
Date: 09–10/05/2024
At the CHALLENGES 2024 conference (OnLife Spaces and Paths), held on May 9–10 at the University of Minho in Braga, María Zapata Cáceres participated in the panel titled “Resources, Practices, Curriculum and Policies”. During this session, she introduced the CoTEDI project, highlighting its objectives to promote inclusive computational thinking through accessible educational tools and classroom activities.
María joined the event virtually, sharing insights on the integration of computational thinking in early education and its relevance in current curricular frameworks. The event, which took place in hybrid format, brought together educators, researchers, and policymakers from different countries to reflect on the role of digital technologies and innovation in transforming education.
Her contribution emphasized the importance of accessible, inclusive educational resources and evidence-based practices to support meaningful learning experiences in diverse classrooms.
Date: May 13, 2024
Location: Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid (Spain)
As part of the official course Artificial Intelligence: Basic Educational Activities for All Ages and Subjects, María Zapata Cáceres and Gregorio Robles presented the talk “Research and Activities on Computational Thinking and AI at URJC: CoTEDI, FAIaS and More”. During this session, they shared ongoing research and initiatives related to the development of computational thinking and artificial intelligence in early education. Several of the projects and activities discussed are part of the Erasmus+ CoTEDI project, which promotes inclusion and creativity in the classroom through CT.
The event, organized by the URJC and supported by the Community of Madrid, brought together educators and researchers to reflect on the pedagogical integration of AI in schools. The session featured hands-on examples, such as activities developed to explore abstraction and algorithms with young children.
The session was well received and contributed to raising awareness of the importance of computational thinking and AI literacy from an early age.