Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MACARONIGHT 2021 (Researchers' Night of Macaronesia)
Período documentado: 2021-05-01 hasta 2022-02-28
The Macaronesian region is an outermost region of the European Union which, even though it has a great potential to be a living lab for most of the EU Green Deal priorities the majority of the population in the region does not have a solid overview of the reserach conducted in the islands and of the opportunities it has to offer for science. The Macaronesian society has not developed its human potential in STEM with many researchers working in the islands being from continental Europe.
The overall objective of MACARONIGHT 2021 was to organise a shared Researchers’ Night for the Macaronesia Region connecting the population of these islands under the umbrella of the universal language of science. By focusing on the scientific and technology areas identified in the Smart Specialization Strategies for the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores the consortium aimed at raising public awareness for research areas that could be the greatest benefit for the Region. The project also supported the public recognition of researchers, creating an understanding of the impact of researchers' work on citizen's daily life. In addition, Macaronight 2021 focused on the European Green Deal and its effects on the Macaronesian region.
The project aimed to:
●further increase awareness of the research and innovation activities across the Region;
● encourage young people to embark on scientific careers;
● support the public recognition science and local researchers;
● create an understanding of the impact of researchers' work on citizens' daily life;
● discuss the work that scientists from the Region are doing in fighting global environmental challenges;
● increase the visibility of the participating researchers also in Europe.
The overall objective of MACARONIGHT 2021 was to organise a shared Researchers’ Night for the Macaronesia Region connecting the population of these islands under the umbrella of the universal language of science. By focusing on the scientific and technology areas identified in the Smart Specialization Strategies for the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores the consortium aimed at raising public awareness for research areas that could be the greatest benefit for the Region. The project also supported the public recognition of researchers, creating an understanding of the impact of researchers' work on citizen's daily life. In addition, Macaronight 2021 focused on the European Green Deal and its effects on the Macaronesian region.
The project aimed to:
●further increase awareness of the research and innovation activities across the Region;
● encourage young people to embark on scientific careers;
● support the public recognition science and local researchers;
● create an understanding of the impact of researchers' work on citizens' daily life;
● discuss the work that scientists from the Region are doing in fighting global environmental challenges;
● increase the visibility of the participating researchers also in Europe.
As the rest of the world, MACARONIGHT 2021 saw every aspect of their plans repeatedly disrupted due to the pandemic and the evolution -and in some cases devolution- of the safety measures. Nonetheless, even having to monitor and adapt to four different situations (measures in Portugal and Spain were different per province, meaning four provinces: Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Madeira, Açores) the Consortium has shown remarkable flexibility and creativity dealing with changes and new formats.
WP1
In 2021, it was decided to create a Portuguese language Facebook and Instagram profiles to better reach all the population in their own language.
Main tasks undertook: preparation of the project communication plan, specific communication guidelines for internal and external communication, audiovisual promotional material, posters, leaflets, agendas, animations etc;
Main results:
Creation of TikTok
Participation of new schools
500000 people aware of the European Researchers' Night;
12.614 page views at the event website;
720 followers on Facebook (SP);
1028 followers on Facebook (PT);
333 followers on Instagram (SP);
354 followers on Instagram (PT);
1629 followers on Twitter;
5.6k viewers on YouTube;
6 radio interviews conducted;
9 appearances on national/regional TV channels before the event;
2822 Pre and post-events attendants;
WP2
The NIGHT 2021 was organised in sixteen islands using a hybrid format.
Main results
33.612 participants in almost all islands of the Macaronesian archipelago.
72 hands-on experiments, 72 live talks, 67 virtual tours, 6 TV show episodes.
40 different entities collaborated with the project, 259 researchers;
The online EU Corner was composed of 41 EU projects, 1 original online game, 14 EU games and 2 games created by EU projects and the physical EU Corner included the physical version of the online game, information on the EU and opportunities to study and work sponsored by the EU, an online quiz (with prizes), a survey "How much do you know...?" and games for kids;
WP3
Tasks undertaken: preparation of guidelines for data collection and training of volunteers and related questionnaires/QR surveys and the evaluation of the data. Due to the online nature of the event, it was extremely difficult motivating attendants to answer questionnaires.
In total:
113 answers to the pre-event surveys for teachers
1030 answers to the pre-event questionnaires on schools (12 to 18 years old)
462 questionnaires for attending adults
116 answers to the EU Corner questionnaire
TOTAL: 1721 answers
Main results:
Macaronight reached more schools, with a big majority of students not having participated in earlier editions. Nonetheless, it seems to be an expected part of the school year for teachers, who were already asking the venue leaders about the event in the beginning of the year. The biggest lesson learnt for 2021 has been the co-creation of actions with teachers and students via the pre-event questionnaires.
WP1
In 2021, it was decided to create a Portuguese language Facebook and Instagram profiles to better reach all the population in their own language.
Main tasks undertook: preparation of the project communication plan, specific communication guidelines for internal and external communication, audiovisual promotional material, posters, leaflets, agendas, animations etc;
Main results:
Creation of TikTok
Participation of new schools
500000 people aware of the European Researchers' Night;
12.614 page views at the event website;
720 followers on Facebook (SP);
1028 followers on Facebook (PT);
333 followers on Instagram (SP);
354 followers on Instagram (PT);
1629 followers on Twitter;
5.6k viewers on YouTube;
6 radio interviews conducted;
9 appearances on national/regional TV channels before the event;
2822 Pre and post-events attendants;
WP2
The NIGHT 2021 was organised in sixteen islands using a hybrid format.
Main results
33.612 participants in almost all islands of the Macaronesian archipelago.
72 hands-on experiments, 72 live talks, 67 virtual tours, 6 TV show episodes.
40 different entities collaborated with the project, 259 researchers;
The online EU Corner was composed of 41 EU projects, 1 original online game, 14 EU games and 2 games created by EU projects and the physical EU Corner included the physical version of the online game, information on the EU and opportunities to study and work sponsored by the EU, an online quiz (with prizes), a survey "How much do you know...?" and games for kids;
WP3
Tasks undertaken: preparation of guidelines for data collection and training of volunteers and related questionnaires/QR surveys and the evaluation of the data. Due to the online nature of the event, it was extremely difficult motivating attendants to answer questionnaires.
In total:
113 answers to the pre-event surveys for teachers
1030 answers to the pre-event questionnaires on schools (12 to 18 years old)
462 questionnaires for attending adults
116 answers to the EU Corner questionnaire
TOTAL: 1721 answers
Main results:
Macaronight reached more schools, with a big majority of students not having participated in earlier editions. Nonetheless, it seems to be an expected part of the school year for teachers, who were already asking the venue leaders about the event in the beginning of the year. The biggest lesson learnt for 2021 has been the co-creation of actions with teachers and students via the pre-event questionnaires.
Macaronight is the first of its kind with potential long-lasting beneficial impacts that could extend beyond the immediate objectives of the project as it aims at creating overall public awareness of science, research and innovation, especially in areas where the region of Macaronesia has outstanding performance and results even by international comparison. Public recognition will then result in public support that is much needed for the implementation of the smart specialisation strategies themselves. MacaroNight has also highlighted the importance of understanding the connection between investment in science and regional development, also in its actions aimed at building science capital in remote regions. Lastly, Macaronight reaches regions and areas in remote islands that no other activity does and the participation and motivation of this population highlight the importance of bringing science and European spirit to all the corners of Europe.