Join the next webinar in the 3D Organon Immersive Education Webinar Series: “Βuilding the Cognitive Bedrock: How K-12 STEM Prepares Students for High-Stakes Disciplines”, on November 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM EDT | 2:00 PM UTC, featuring Dr. Roxanne Giampapa, Head of School at Pinewood American International School of Thessaloniki, and Dr. Christos Vonapartis Kosmidis, STEAM Coordinator.
In this session, Dr. Giampapa and Dr. Kosmidis share how a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to K-12 STEAM education builds the cognitive foundations students need for demanding fields such as medicine and engineering. Drawing on school leadership and cognitive science research, they highlight how innovation, immersive technology, and AI paired with ethical judgement can deepen learning.
They discuss how spatial literacy can be scaffolded in STEM learning environments, how to manage cognitive load when teaching complex concepts, and how technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, AI, and immersive tools can be integrated into classroom practice.
About the Speaker
Dr. Roxanne Giampapa is Head of School at Pinewood American International School in Thessaloniki, Greece, a role she has held since 2010. A native of Columbus, Ohio, she earned her Bachelor’s in Education, Master’s in Language, Literature, and Culture, and Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership, all from The Ohio State University. Before moving into school leadership in Greece, she taught at both the K-12 and university levels, including 15 years at an independent all-girls school in Columbus.
Dr. Giampapa has extensive experience in school accreditation and international education governance. She has served on the Board of the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA) since 2020, and in 2025 she was appointed a Commissioner for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the three major accrediting bodies in the United States. She believes teaching is fundamentally relational and that schools must cultivate a strong moral compass, agency, and adaptability in young people. As Head of School, she champions thoughtful innovation and risk-taking, making room to pilot new ideas, learn from evidence, and iterate. She sees AI, paired with ethical judgement, as a powerful partner for building curiosity and deepening learning.
Dr. Christos Vonapartis Kosmidis is an educator, researcher, and STEAM Coordinator at Pinewood American International School in Thessaloniki, Greece, with over 15 years of teaching and leadership experience in science and technology education. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry, an M.Ed. in Science Education, and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His research focuses on spatial reasoning, perceptual problem-solving, cognitive load management, graphical representations, and scaffolding spatial literacy in STEM learning environments. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, international edited volumes, and conference proceedings.
At Pinewood, Dr. Kosmidis leads the design and implementation of an evidence-based STEAM curriculum and oversees the school’s Science and Technology facilities, driving the structured integration of 3D printing, robotics, AI, and immersive technologies. He also mentors student teams in national and international innovation challenges, guiding young learners to apply their skills in authentic environments that foster agency, voice, and personal fulfillment.
What You’ll Learn
- Understand how spatial reasoning builds the foundation for high-stakes disciplines such as medicine and engineering.
- Learn from research-backed insights on cognitive processing and problem-solving.
- Discover how to manage cognitive load so students can absorb complex ideas.
- Explore how 3D printing, robotics, AI, and immersive technologies fit into a structured K-12 curriculum.
- Hear a school leader’s perspective on piloting innovation and using AI responsibly in education.
- Gain practical ideas for turning cognitive research into classroom practice.
About the Webinar Series
This session is part of the Immersive Education Webinar Series, which brings together educators, technologists, and healthcare professionals to explore the future of medical learning through immersive technologies.
For more information, contact: [email protected]