Received Sylff fellowship in 2001
Current affiliation: University Tutor at Post Graduate Programs
I am an educator and STEAM expert in Primary Education, hold a PhD from the NK University of Athens, hold a M.Ed. (Master in Education) in the field of "Informatics in Education" and specialization diplomas in classroom management (we.C.A.R.E.) and STEM education (Erasmus+). I have studied music (BCM, LCM, RGT, PMT) and have taught music at the National Conservatory of P. Psychikou - Filotheis.
I was head of pedagogy in the pilot program for the introduction of computers in Primary Education "ODYSSEIA - The Island of Phaeacians" and a trainer in the programs "Academic & Professional Training of Primary Education Teachers (EKPA), "Information Society" (EPEAEK-YPEPTH) and "Education of Parents of Secondary Education Students in ICT and the Safe Use of the Internet" ("goneis.gr" project - EDET).
I am the publisher of the website digitalgames.edu.gr and a certified Teacher Trainer of LEGO® Education.
Since 2010, I have been designing and developing Robotics and STEM Educational Programs for Primary and Secondary Education and have collaborated with many schools, laboratories and organizations either as a trainer, as a workshop consultant or as a coach of competitions teams for participating in Robotics competitions.
In 2016 I was awarded the "coach-mentor" award at the FIRST LEGO League Greece educational robotics competition, in 2019 I won the bronze medal in mechanical design and 6th place in the world ranking as coach-mentor of the FIRST Global National Robotics team at FGC Dubai, in 2021 I won the golden and silver medal in project and project collaboration and bronze medal - 3rd place in the world ranking as coach-mentor of the FIRST Global National Robotics team at FIRST Global Challenge, while in 2022 I won the silver medal in engineering documentation and bronze medal (XPrize Award-3rd place) as coach-mentor of the FIRST Global National Robotics team at FGC Geneva.
I am the co-founder and chairman of mellonLAB (2019), a non profit organization in Greece. MellonLab is an educational organization specializing in robotics and programming, aiming to equip both youth and adults with the necessary skills of the 21st century. With an emphasis on fostering critical thinking, creativity and teamwork, MellonLab offers a range of programs that combine technical proficiency with personal development. By adopting innovative teaching methodologies, including STEAM and project-based learning and holistic approach, MellonLab prepares its students to face the challenges of an ever-evolving world.
Academic Achievements, Social Engagement Initiatives:
Apart from my Academic Achievements during my post graduate studies (they are mentioned in my BIO in detail), me and my team (Mathisis) have been organizing many STEM related events from 2015 to 2019, as well as delivering First Lego League Athens.
Since 2018, when I became the Coach-Mentor for FIRST Global Challenge Team Greece, I have visited over 50 schools to showcase the team's robots and promote STEM. Apart from the schools, I have participated in many major STEM/educational events like Voxxed Days, Researcher's Night, Athens Science Festival, Thessaloniki international Expo and many more to hold workshops and presentations about robotics.
I am the author of several books about ICT, Mathematics, video games, robotics with BBC micro:bit and Block Coding.
Being the chairman on mellonLAB, I have designed and delivered many workshops and full educational programs to students and educators located in remote areas of Greece with limited access to STEM material or courses. I have collaborated with companies (e.g. Accenture) to offer for free a whole year round program for Project Based Learning skills and Inquiry Based Learning, developing a prototype solution for blind people.
I have also collaborfated with the Municipality of Piraeus to design and deliver similar free of charge programs for the students and the teachers of Piraeus.
I are currently concluding a pilot program for the Greek minority schools in Albania with the support of MIT Scratch Foundation and the General Consul of Greece in Argyrokastro. This is about developing a new ICT curriculum for both communities, train and support the teachers with materials and lessons (in person and distant).
I am leading the development of a major training program in block programming for all under-graduate and post-graduate teachers in Attica that will be deployed during the next academic year with the collaboration of the Faculty of Primary Education and the support of Scratch Foundation and Boston College.
Last, but not least, I am very proud for organizing FIRST Global Challenge Athens 2024 with FIRST Global and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance. This is the greatest and most significant robotics competition in the world. We managed to bring to Athens teams from 190+ countries, more than 500 volunteers and managed to have over 15,000 visitors. We had the support of the National Television who created a dedicated TV and Streaming channel to share the competition with the globe and the support of the Prime Minister himself, validating the impact of the event.
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasios-kollias-phd-a23b1b2b
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tassos.kollias/
Facebook (Mellon Lab): https://www.facebook.com/MellonLab.gr/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tassoskolliashotmail/