Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ERN4Change (European Researchers' Night 2022-2023 in Malopolska)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-04-01 al 2023-12-31
The main goal of the European Researchers’ Night (ERN) in Małopolska: bringing researchers to the general public and increasing awareness of research and innovation activities, with a view to supporting the public recognition of researchers, creating an understanding of the impact of researchers’ work on citizens’ daily life, and encouraging young people to embark on research careers.
Specific objectives:
- presenting the discoveries of researchers that change the world and influence our everyday life in a pop-scientific and friendly manner – using interaction and fun,
- presenting how researchers approach the challenges facing our society during their daily work, e.g. climate change, pollution, diseases (cancer, for instance), smart and green cities – we are going to present concrete solutions and suggest what we can to protect our planet and change our world,
- developing passion for science in children and the youth – by allowing them to experiment and have a peek into the profession of scientists, we are going to show the uniqueness and interesting aspects of scientists, and thus encourage them to pursue a career in science in the future,
- showing that researchers have passions and hobbies which go beyond science (they are sportsmen, filmmakers, travellers and artists), apart from their interesting work in laboratories,
- promoting gender equality and inclusion in science, as well as open science – we show that science is for everyone and there are no barriers preventing from becoming a researcher.
Specific objectives:
- presenting the discoveries of researchers that change the world and influence our everyday life in a pop-scientific and friendly manner – using interaction and fun,
- presenting how researchers approach the challenges facing our society during their daily work, e.g. climate change, pollution, diseases (cancer, for instance), smart and green cities – we are going to present concrete solutions and suggest what we can to protect our planet and change our world,
- developing passion for science in children and the youth – by allowing them to experiment and have a peek into the profession of scientists, we are going to show the uniqueness and interesting aspects of scientists, and thus encourage them to pursue a career in science in the future,
- showing that researchers have passions and hobbies which go beyond science (they are sportsmen, filmmakers, travellers and artists), apart from their interesting work in laboratories,
- promoting gender equality and inclusion in science, as well as open science – we show that science is for everyone and there are no barriers preventing from becoming a researcher.
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.
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.
Quantitative indicators of the ERN 2022 (1st periodic report):
- 8 cities of Małopolska where ERN was held
- nearly 100 event locations in 42 partner institutions
- about 2,000 involved researchers, employees and students, and 120 science clubs
- over 2,000 organized activities
- over 53,000 people who participated in the ERN 2022.
Quantitative indicators of the “Researchers at Schools” activities (1st periodic report):
- ca. 125 organised activities
- ca. 120 researchers, employees and students involved
- ca. 20 000 participants of activities.
Quantitative indicators of the ERN 2023 (2nd periodic report):
- 10 cities of Małopolska where ERN was held
- nearly 130 event locations in 60 partner institutions
- about 2,000 involved researchers, employees and students, and 120 science clubs
- over 2,000 organized activities
- over 60,000 people who participated in the ERN 2023.
Quantitative indicators of the “Researchers at Schools” activities (2nd periodic report):
- ca. 240 organised activities
- ca. 100 researchers, employees and students involved
- ca. 23 000 participants of activities.
Qualitative indicators:
Overall feedback about the ERN and “Researchers at Schools” activities is very positive in the period 2022-2023.
- According to majority of participants these kinds of events bring the scientists’ work closer to public and encourages to choose the scientific career.
- Most of ERN participants (60%+) asked for the reasons for choosing the profession of a scientist indicated that it was an interesting job. The respondents also clearly indicated that it would give them the opportunity to do exceptional things (50%+).
- In the opinion of ERN participants (50%+), regardless of their age, the most interesting form of undertaken activities were experiments and laboratories. Next, they indicated shows and demonstrations, as well as workshops.
- Most of the surveyed students, attending the “Researchers at Schools” events, admitted that these activities were a good way to show young people what their further education might look like, what studies to choose, or later choose a career path (66%+).
- Scientists were associated by the vast majority of students with positive features, including: wisdom (72%+), ingenuity (61%) and diligence (54%+).
- 8 cities of Małopolska where ERN was held
- nearly 100 event locations in 42 partner institutions
- about 2,000 involved researchers, employees and students, and 120 science clubs
- over 2,000 organized activities
- over 53,000 people who participated in the ERN 2022.
Quantitative indicators of the “Researchers at Schools” activities (1st periodic report):
- ca. 125 organised activities
- ca. 120 researchers, employees and students involved
- ca. 20 000 participants of activities.
Quantitative indicators of the ERN 2023 (2nd periodic report):
- 10 cities of Małopolska where ERN was held
- nearly 130 event locations in 60 partner institutions
- about 2,000 involved researchers, employees and students, and 120 science clubs
- over 2,000 organized activities
- over 60,000 people who participated in the ERN 2023.
Quantitative indicators of the “Researchers at Schools” activities (2nd periodic report):
- ca. 240 organised activities
- ca. 100 researchers, employees and students involved
- ca. 23 000 participants of activities.
Qualitative indicators:
Overall feedback about the ERN and “Researchers at Schools” activities is very positive in the period 2022-2023.
- According to majority of participants these kinds of events bring the scientists’ work closer to public and encourages to choose the scientific career.
- Most of ERN participants (60%+) asked for the reasons for choosing the profession of a scientist indicated that it was an interesting job. The respondents also clearly indicated that it would give them the opportunity to do exceptional things (50%+).
- In the opinion of ERN participants (50%+), regardless of their age, the most interesting form of undertaken activities were experiments and laboratories. Next, they indicated shows and demonstrations, as well as workshops.
- Most of the surveyed students, attending the “Researchers at Schools” events, admitted that these activities were a good way to show young people what their further education might look like, what studies to choose, or later choose a career path (66%+).
- Scientists were associated by the vast majority of students with positive features, including: wisdom (72%+), ingenuity (61%) and diligence (54%+).