Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School (GCHSS) at Naxxar recently successfully concluded a three-year Erasmusplus collaborative project focused on developing augmented reality (AR) resources for educators. This pioneering initiative introduced an innovative way for educators to engage with students, fostering interactive and immersive learning experiences in physical and virtual classrooms.
The Augmented Reality Toolkit for Sustainable Education (ARTse) project, which began in 2020, aimed to harness the power of augmented reality to improve traditional teaching methodologies. The project addressed two crucial EU priorities, namely the need to encourage a higher level of sustainability in our ways of life and to promote digitalisation in Member States.
ARTse recognized the immense potential of AR technology to capture students’ attention, stimulate their curiosity and facilitate a deeper understanding of complex topics. For three years, a team of dedicated AR educators and developers from Malta, Croatia, Italy and Finland collaborated to create a suite of innovative AR tools designed to transform the educational landscape.
We need to involve primary and secondary teachers in this exciting world of AR to make compulsory education more interesting and engaging for our students– Anna Spiteri Meilak, Principal of Giovanni Curmi Upper Secondary School
Here are the highlights of the project:
Creation of engaging AR content. The project team has developed a program that supports a wide range of interactive AR content across multiple disciplines. This framework for training educators in the use of AR in sustainable development aims to bring abstract concepts to life, allowing educators and students to view and manipulate virtual objects in real time, making learning more intuitive and enjoyable.

Professional Development for Educators. ARTse recognized the importance of equipping teachers with the skills to effectively leverage AR technology. As part of the project, a pedagogical manual was created, equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to integrate AR resources seamlessly into their curricula.

Customizable learning experiences. A series of AR-supported case studies were created as part of specific sustainability-related lesson plans designed for the project. These AR resources also offer educators the flexibility to adapt content to suit different learning styles, paces, and skill levels, ensuring an inclusive and personalized education for every student.

Collaborative learning environment. The project introduced collaborative AR experiences, fostering teamwork and improving social and cross-cultural interactions among students. Students from Malta, Italy, and Finland had the opportunity to collaborate on AR-supported activities, provide feedback on AR experiences created through the bespoke app, and engage in interactive simulations, active participation, and critical thinking.
Global reach and accessibility. ARTse’s commitment to democratizing education is reflected in the availability and accessibility of AR resources through the project website. Resources are also available through the bespoke ARTse app which can be downloaded from google play and app store. These tools and resources are designed to work on commonly available devices, making them accessible to a wide range of educational institutions around the world.
Commenting on the success of the project, GCHSS Manager Anna Spiteri Meilak said, “The augmented reality project marks an important milestone in our school and partners’ commitment to advancing education through cutting-edge technology. We strongly believe that augmented reality has the potential to revolutionize traditional teaching methods, allowing educators to engage students in new and exciting ways. The positive feedback and remarkable impact we have witnessed during the implementation of the project has been truly inspiring. We need to involve primary and secondary teachers in this exciting world of AR to make compulsory education more interesting and engaging for our students. »
Now that the three-year project has come to an end, GCHSS remains committed to supporting educators in their pursuit of excellence through technological innovation. The school will continue to refine and expand its AR resources, incorporating feedback from educators and students to ensure continuous improvement of the educational experience.