We are proud to support the Helios-STEAM Chair at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), where education meets sustainability. This new academic chair brings together three key elements: inspiring young minds through STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), taking real action for a sustainable future, and improving well-being in education.

Led by Professor Hugo Thienpont, a photonics expert with over 30 years of experience, the Chair brings together expertise from VUB’s Engineering and Psychology & Educational Sciences faculties. The Helios Foundation is funding the Chair for the next four years. This Chair sits at the center of what the Foundation aims for: supporting projects that put Belgium on track for carbon neutrality while promoting a healthy workplace. Focusing on youth, this project invests in the future of a carbon-free Belgium.

Engaging youth and promoting well-being

The Helios-STEAM Chair will run workshops and activities for primary and secondary school students to get them interested in mathematics, science, and technology, while making sure they enjoy learning.

The project centers around the ambitious renovation of a former municipal school in Gooik, near Brussels, transforming it into a state-of-the-art STEAM academy. This renovation project serves as a model for circular and sustainable renovation in Belgium, with decarbonization as its core principle. The academy will showcase the most advanced sustainable technologies available, including sophisticated heat and sound insulation, optimized lighting, and improved heating and ventilation systems.

The renovation will serve as a living lab, demonstrating how green technologies can be integrated into educational spaces. By actively showcasing these innovations, the Chair aims to inspire other institutions to adopt sustainable practices and provide a blueprint for modernizing outdated infrastructure across Belgium.