Young people in St Maarten will get a chance to participate in a new EGO pilot.
PHILIPSBURG--Young people in St Maarten will get a chance to participate in a new pilot combining artificial intelligence (AI), digital literacy, robotics, filmmaking, creative technology and social-emotional learning, as Stichting Expertise Centrum Ervaringsgericht Onderwijs St. Maarten (Stichting EGO) launches “A Step Beyond.”
The pilot, running from September 2026 through June 2027, is designed to help students develop skills including critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, resilience and responsible decision-making.
“These are not only skills for the future. These are skills young people need now,” said Ria Uiterloo, President of Stichting EGO.
The programme begins with an intensive 10-day programme on September 14, implemented in collaboration with the National Institute of the Arts (NIA) and Mediawegwijs Netherlands. Students will learn film techniques, script writing, interviewing, vlogging, editing and podcast production.
The Mediawegwijs training will also address issues young people encounter in their daily digital lives, including fake news, screen addiction, cookies and privacy, AI, game design, influencers, digital information, online identity and self-image.
The programme is intended to go beyond teaching students how to use technology. It will encourage them to question information, create, communicate, collaborate and solve problems while exploring their individual talents.
A major part of the pilot is a Train-the-Trainer programme for 20 educators. The training will examine how digital literacy, AI, language and numeracy increasingly intersect in the classroom.
Educators will also explore the relationship between mathematics and the digital world through Mediawegwijs’ Digi-Math approach. The programme will focus on how young people encounter data, graphs, statistics, likes, views and algorithms and how understanding numbers, patterns and data can help them interpret digital information and understand how algorithms can influence what they see online.
The digital-literacy training will also focus on language and critical-thinking skills needed to evaluate online information, distinguish reliable sources from misinformation, conduct effective searches and ask meaningful questions of AI.
Students will be introduced to mBots and BYOR as part of the creative technology and robotics activities. The mBot will provide hands-on experience with coding, electronics and robotics, while BYOR will allow students to design and build interactive creations.
Creative technology will also be used as a storytelling tool, with the project connecting B-Bots/BYOR to digital life stories and reflection on identity and community.
The Train-the-Trainer component is intended to create lasting digital-literacy capacity within Sint Maarten’s schools. Educators will participate in training while observing student lessons, linking the training to classroom practice.
Those who complete the training will have access to Mediawegwijs Netherlands’ online digital-literacy curriculum, which contains 49 media-literacy lessons and can continue to be used in primary and secondary education.
From October 2, the programme will continue with Social and Emotional Learning sessions twice a week with NIA experts. The sessions will be facilitated by Loes Nauta, Director of Curriculum, Leadership and Theater and Creative SEL Facilitator/Performing Arts Trainer, and psychologist Zoya Hyman.
Behavioural specialist Audrey Wilson of Wilson Coaching will provide sessions based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and executive-function coaching, including emotional regulation and behavioural support.
The SEL component will focus on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
The project will also have students create their own work and document their development through digital portfolios where they can collect creative productions and reflect on their growth.
The wider project will work toward a digital youth platform and a final film production and presentation featuring students’ stories, media productions and creative work. The platform is intended to provide a space for youth-created resources and productions to be shared, while the final presentation will allow students to showcase their work to families, educators, partners and the wider community.
The pilot brings together Stichting EGO, NIA, Mediawegwijs Netherlands and supporting partners. It is funded by Oranje Fonds, Stichting DOEN and Fonds 21.
Classes will be held at St. Dominic High School, primarily involving students ages 12–18 from the school. A few students from other high schools will also participate.
Through its combination of SEL, AI, digital literacy, robotics, film, podcasts, storytelling and the arts, A Step Beyond aims to help young people discover their talents, find their voice and develop the confidence and competencies to participate actively in their community.
