1ST PERIODIC REPORT: In the period covered by the report there was organised one edition of the European Researchers' Night in Małopolska (ERN) 2022 and “Researchers at Schools” activities (the first part of planned activities for 2-year project).
Over 40 institutions from 8 cities of the Małopolska Region were involved in the ERN2022.
Approx. 2,000 activities were offered for participants.
There was also the art contest "EKO-PLASTYKA: Mam naukowego bzika" organised as pre-event.
2ND PERIODIC REPORT: In the period covered by the report there was organised one edition of the European Researchers' Night in Małopolska (ERN) 2023 and “Researchers at Schools” activities (the second part of planned activities for 2-year project).
Ca. 60 institutions from 10 cities of the Małopolska Region were involved in the ERN2023.
Approx. 2,000 activities were offered for participants.
There was also the art contest "COPERNICUS 550" organised as pre-event.
Partners: various institutions, such as universities, research institutes, company research centres, museums, cultural centres, libraries, schools, open air (e.g. Astronomical Observatories in Krakow and Niepołomice), and their different departments, institutes, branches, etc.
All activities were accompanied by the common theme "Researchers and the challenges of the modern world" to show how scientists are changing our world. The vast majority of events were related to the EU Missions, mainly climate protection, protection of seas and oceans, the fight against cancer and health protection, healthy soil and food, smart and green cities.
Type of activities during the ERN 2022 and 2023: workshops, demonstrations, shows, lectures, chats with researchers, visit to laboratories, exhibitions, contests and games, science shows. All activities were addressed to all segments of the public at large.
The scope of the project has increased since 2022 – it was not only the ERN organised in September, but also a series of scientific events throughout the school year – the “Researchers at Schools” activities. These events involve numerous workshops, demos etc. – the scientists met up with the youth and teachers at schools, and also invite them to their laboratories.
To achieve all the goals and attract as many people as possible, from the beginning of the project we worked on promotional activities. The awareness campaign was addressed to different group of people, so that's why we used various tools (media, internet campaign, social media, the event website, radio, tv, press and direct communication to schools and other educational institutions etc.).
The impact of the events was assessed to analyse possible evolutions of the public perception of researchers and their work (in comparison with the previous years) and identify the types of activities that proved the most effective towards the achievement of the objectives. The tools used in the impact assessment methodology: surveys (for children and adults) filled in by participants of the stationary events and distributed mainly via Facebook (for online participants), developed through Google free tools, individual interviews with selected researchers, coordinators, internet survey (use of tools such as Google Analytics), as well as desk research (based on a detailed analysis of secondary data), and analysis of opinions sent electronically to the e-mail address dedicated to the event and on social networks, mainly Facebook, where everyone can submit their suggestions. All conclusions were included in the final evaluation reports.
