Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ERN 2021 SVK (Science Festival European Researchers? Night 2021 in Slovakia)
Período documentado: 2021-06-01 hasta 2021-12-31
The ERN addresses several issues:
• Insufficient appreciation of scientists and researchers among people;
• lack of awareness about researchers´ work, its content and its contribution to our everyday lives;
• low interest of young people and students in science and lack of interest in studying STEM majors and brain-drain from Slovakia;
• insufficient connection between research sector, business and education.
•
The ERN provides a platform for presenting the opportunities and perks that research careers has and can offer. Due to existing stereotypes and lack of information on the work of scientists, there is low support and trust of ordinary people in research and its contribution to everyday lives and society. In a popular and entertaining way it reduces stereotypes and contributes to discussion on science and its benefits among general public. It connects all relevant stakeholders from research and education, and it provides a space for their interaction and networking.
The ERN 2021 had following objectives that were achieved by interactive and understandable program:
• Bringing researchers closer to citizens and raising awareness about RDI activities;
• Supporting the recognition of researchers among broad public;
• Creating an understanding of the impact of researchers´ work on citizens´ everyday life;
• Encouraging young people to embark on research career;
Focusing on these goals, the ERN is established science popularization project in Slovakia and its 15th edition attracted thousands of participants and viewers and provided a program covering the whole country, including remote areas.
The long-term impact since its establishment in 2007 in Slovakia can be noticeable – it has a base of researchers and visitors (including teachers and schools) that participate every year and make up the ERN community.
The impact of the ERN is:
• Increased awareness among the general public of the importance of research and innovation and more favourable general attitude towards its public funding.
• Better understanding of the key benefits that research brings to society.
• Reduction of the stereotypes about researchers and their profession.
• Increase, in the long term, of people taking up research careers.
• Insufficient appreciation of scientists and researchers among people;
• lack of awareness about researchers´ work, its content and its contribution to our everyday lives;
• low interest of young people and students in science and lack of interest in studying STEM majors and brain-drain from Slovakia;
• insufficient connection between research sector, business and education.
•
The ERN provides a platform for presenting the opportunities and perks that research careers has and can offer. Due to existing stereotypes and lack of information on the work of scientists, there is low support and trust of ordinary people in research and its contribution to everyday lives and society. In a popular and entertaining way it reduces stereotypes and contributes to discussion on science and its benefits among general public. It connects all relevant stakeholders from research and education, and it provides a space for their interaction and networking.
The ERN 2021 had following objectives that were achieved by interactive and understandable program:
• Bringing researchers closer to citizens and raising awareness about RDI activities;
• Supporting the recognition of researchers among broad public;
• Creating an understanding of the impact of researchers´ work on citizens´ everyday life;
• Encouraging young people to embark on research career;
Focusing on these goals, the ERN is established science popularization project in Slovakia and its 15th edition attracted thousands of participants and viewers and provided a program covering the whole country, including remote areas.
The long-term impact since its establishment in 2007 in Slovakia can be noticeable – it has a base of researchers and visitors (including teachers and schools) that participate every year and make up the ERN community.
The impact of the ERN is:
• Increased awareness among the general public of the importance of research and innovation and more favourable general attitude towards its public funding.
• Better understanding of the key benefits that research brings to society.
• Reduction of the stereotypes about researchers and their profession.
• Increase, in the long term, of people taking up research careers.
Work performed within WP 1 – Awareness campaing:
The central theme for 2021: “Try it! It is science!”. The main motto resonated throughout the whole project and it was reflected in the program. As a task within the Awareness Campaign, unique graphic design was created – yellow pink design with the ERN logo that was modulated and used in all promotional materials and as an graphic identity of the ERN 2021. Th PR campaign plan was eleaborated in order to execute effective and successful campaign achieving proposed goals. Awareness campaign included national online and offline campaing and it was targeted on all age groups with special attention to attracting young audience.
Work performed within WP 2 - Activities during the NIGHT
The activities during the NIGHT had to be adapted according risk and mitigation measure no. 1 - Public health and restrictions regarding organising mass events. Main festival activity had to be adapted into online space and overall, the ERN 2021 of this program –
• Online studio – consisting of 12-hour-long program full of presentations with visualisations, 3D effects; demonstrations and experiments; interviews;
• Webinars Science without Frontiers – 16 webinars throughout the week of the ERN with Slovak scientists from different fields;
• Visit your school-Get to know your Scientist – presentation of researchers for primary and secondary school students (online and offline – where possible);
• Scientific Courier – scientific kits with experiments (biology, chemistry, physics, Space guardian) send to primary and secondary schools;
• Accompanying events and competitions – accompanying events in observatories and competitions (drawing and photo competition).
Work performed within WP 3 - Impact assessment
Collection, analysis and processing of 200+ feedbacks, based on 2 separate surveys respectively addressing „Visitors“, and „Researchers“, with common and specific questions. Main conclusions from the Impact Assessment are available in the report on the Impact Assessment (deliverable 3).
Work performed within WP 4 – Management
The management of the ERN was crucial for successful and timely delivery of the project. Overall administrative and financial was in place in order to achieve proposed goals and stick to the project proposal. Special attention was paid to risk mitigation which proved to be fruitful.
The central theme for 2021: “Try it! It is science!”. The main motto resonated throughout the whole project and it was reflected in the program. As a task within the Awareness Campaign, unique graphic design was created – yellow pink design with the ERN logo that was modulated and used in all promotional materials and as an graphic identity of the ERN 2021. Th PR campaign plan was eleaborated in order to execute effective and successful campaign achieving proposed goals. Awareness campaign included national online and offline campaing and it was targeted on all age groups with special attention to attracting young audience.
Work performed within WP 2 - Activities during the NIGHT
The activities during the NIGHT had to be adapted according risk and mitigation measure no. 1 - Public health and restrictions regarding organising mass events. Main festival activity had to be adapted into online space and overall, the ERN 2021 of this program –
• Online studio – consisting of 12-hour-long program full of presentations with visualisations, 3D effects; demonstrations and experiments; interviews;
• Webinars Science without Frontiers – 16 webinars throughout the week of the ERN with Slovak scientists from different fields;
• Visit your school-Get to know your Scientist – presentation of researchers for primary and secondary school students (online and offline – where possible);
• Scientific Courier – scientific kits with experiments (biology, chemistry, physics, Space guardian) send to primary and secondary schools;
• Accompanying events and competitions – accompanying events in observatories and competitions (drawing and photo competition).
Work performed within WP 3 - Impact assessment
Collection, analysis and processing of 200+ feedbacks, based on 2 separate surveys respectively addressing „Visitors“, and „Researchers“, with common and specific questions. Main conclusions from the Impact Assessment are available in the report on the Impact Assessment (deliverable 3).
Work performed within WP 4 – Management
The management of the ERN was crucial for successful and timely delivery of the project. Overall administrative and financial was in place in order to achieve proposed goals and stick to the project proposal. Special attention was paid to risk mitigation which proved to be fruitful.
The ERN 2021 was for the 15th time successfully organized on the last Friday of September. Even though we had to apply risk and mitigation measures due to COVID-19, the program was abundant and it attracted thousands of viewers and participants. Thanks to massive PR and media campaign, it gained the attention of society and citizens and thus achieved proposed goals and long-term impact of increased attention of society and pupils towards science. Positive feedback from viewers as well as researchers and teachers (specifically involved in Scientific Courier) proves the success and fulfilling of proposed goals.