LEVEL UP LEARNING CONFERENCE 2026 – Learning Beyond the Classroom!

30 October – 1 November 2026 | Hylatio Tourist Village, Pissouri, Cyprus

More than 60 young people took part in an exciting three-day journey of creativity, science, educational games and teamwork during the LEVEL UP LEARNING CONFERENCE 2026, organised by ACPELIA at Hylatio Tourist Village in Pissouri, Cyprus, from 30 October to 1 November 2026.

The conference was funded by the Youth Board of Cyprus through the Youth Initiatives Programme (Πρωτοβουλίες Νέων), with the support and cooperation of local organisations and educational professionals.

The event brought together young people, educators, trainers and volunteers to explore new approaches to learning through non-formal education, gamification, scientific experimentation and interactive challenges.

Throughout the three days, the planned programme was successfully implemented, offering participants opportunities to discover their abilities, develop new skills, collaborate with others and experience education in a different and enjoyable way.

Day 1 – Friday, 30 October 2026: Official Opening and Educational Innovation

The conference officially opened on Friday evening with a welcoming session attended by young participants, educators, local representatives and members of the organising team.

Day 2 – Saturday, 31 October 2026: Learning Through Games, Science and Collaboration

Saturday was dedicated to hands-on learning, scientific exploration and educational challenges.

Participants worked in teams, experimented with different materials, solved problems, played educational games and developed their creativity in a dynamic learning environment.

Educational Board Games – Learning Through Play

Under the guidance of Olympia Orfanidou, young people participated in educational board games addressing important contemporary topics, including:

• Cyberbullying and online safety

• Fake news and media literacy

• European values and citizenship

• Environmental awareness and sustainability

Through discussion, decision-making and cooperation, participants discovered how board games can serve as powerful educational tools, making complex topics more understandable and engaging.

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Physics Decathlon – Ten Scientific Challenges

The Physics Decathlon, facilitated by Dr Georgios Tsalakos, challenged participants to explore scientific concepts through ten interactive activities and experimental tasks.

Working individually and in teams, the young people were encouraged to think scientifically, test ideas, apply physical principles and solve practical problems.

The activity demonstrated that physics can be accessible, enjoyable and closely connected to everyday life.

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Solar Oven Construction – Science Meets Sustainability

During the afternoon, participants joined a practical workshop facilitated by Andreas Fasoulidis, focusing on the construction of solar ovens.

Using simple materials, young people explored how solar energy can be collected and used, while learning about renewable energy, sustainability and the practical applications of scientific knowledge.

The workshop encouraged creativity, experimentation and environmental awareness.

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The Great Treasure Hunt – Teamwork and Problem-Solving

One of the day's interactive highlights was The Great Treasure Hunt, coordinated by Dr Theodoros Aslanidis and Konstantina Kountouri.

Participants worked in teams to solve riddles, complete missions, follow clues and overcome challenges around the conference venue.

The activity promoted communication, leadership, observation, critical thinking and cooperation, showing that learning can take place beyond the traditional classroom.

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Additional Educational Activities

The programme also featured opportunities to explore innovative educational approaches connected to the GAMECHANGE project, as well as interactive quizzes, gamification activities and physics-based learning games.

These activities strengthened the connection between education, digital tools, creativity and active youth participation.

Day 3 – Sunday, 1 November 2026: Rocket Science and Conference Closing

The final day focused on science, innovation and reflection.

Rocket Science Challenge – Building and Exploring Rockets

Under the guidance of Dr Theodoros Aslanidis and Konstantina Kountouri, participants joined the Rocket Science Challenge, an interactive workshop introducing fundamental scientific concepts through practical rocket construction.

Young people worked collaboratively, designed and constructed their rockets, explored physical principles and developed their problem-solving and creative-thinking skills.

The activity demonstrated how scientific experimentation can encourage curiosity, discovery and enthusiasm for STEM education.

Final Roundtable Discussion – The Future of Learning

The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion on the future of learning through games.

Participants had the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, exchange ideas and discuss how educational games, practical experimentation and non-formal education can support their personal and educational development.

The official closing marked the successful completion of three days full of educational experiences, creativity and collaboration.

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LEVEL UP CHALLENGE – Encouraging Active Participation

An additional feature of the conference was the LEVEL UP CHALLENGE, designed to encourage young people to actively participate in the workshops and educational activities.

Participants collected points through their involvement in the different challenges, creating an additional element of motivation, engagement and friendly competition.

The conference also promoted further international learning opportunities, including six places connected to European youth exchange activities:

• Four places: GetRealUP Youth Exchange in Romania, for young people aged 16–19.

• Two places: SPARK VOICES Youth Exchange in Portugal, for young people aged 18–30.

These opportunities strengthened the connection between local educational initiatives and international youth mobility.

More Than 60 Young People – A Meaningful Learning Experience

Across the three-day programme, more than 60 young people participated in the conference activities, discovering new ways of learning and developing valuable personal and social skills.

The conference encouraged:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving through scientific and educational challenges.

• Teamwork and communication through group tasks and interactive games.

• Creativity and innovation through practical constructions and experiments.

• Scientific curiosity and STEM learning through hands-on physics activities.

• Environmental awareness through sustainability-related educational workshops.

• Digital and media literacy through educational board games.

• Active youth participation through non-formal learning experiences.

By bringing together different educational methods, LEVEL UP LEARNING demonstrated that education can be engaging, inclusive, collaborative and meaningful.

A Strong Collaboration for Youth Education

LEVEL UP LEARNING CONFERENCE 2026 was organised by ACPELIA, with funding from the Youth Board of Cyprus under the Youth Initiatives Programme.

Special appreciation goes to the Pissouri Community Council, Hylatio Tourist Village, all trainers, facilitators, educators, volunteers and participating young people for their valuable contribution.

ACPELIA extends its sincere thanks to everyone who supported the preparation and implementation of this initiative.

The event highlighted the value of cooperation between youth organisations, local authorities, educational professionals and young people in creating meaningful learning opportunities.

Looking Ahead – Keep Learning, Keep Playing, Keep Growing!

LEVEL UP LEARNING CONFERENCE 2026 may have reached its conclusion, but the knowledge, experiences, friendships and inspiration gained throughout the three days will continue to encourage young people to explore new educational opportunities.

For ACPELIA, the conference represents another step towards promoting innovative education, meaningful youth participation and learning through experience.

Because learning should never stop – it's time to LEVEL UP!