Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SUPERSCIENCEME (SuperScienceMe - RESearch is your RE-Source)
Période du rapport: 2023-04-01 au 2024-03-31
SuperScienceMe is the European Researchers' Night of the Southern of Italy. It delivers the message that "research is an inexhaustible source of (re)inspiration to make Europe better for the next generation".
Researchers are like curious children, whose attention is inexorably attracted by the charm of nature; they are inebriate by so much beauty, then ask questions and seek for answers, they study tirelessly, attempting to unveil the secrets of the Universe.
SuperScienceMe aims at spreading this message to children, young people, men, women and families,
in a historical moment in which people are bewildered, facing challenges that seem insurmountable for mankind. Only science can help humanity to reach the summit and to scan the horizon of the future with hope. For this noble purpose, SuperScienceMe asks for help from one of the greatest scientists that history can remember: Leonardo da Vinci. The Italian genius will accompany SuperScienceMe and modern scientists on a wonderful journey among the people, to tell them the exciting fairy tale of science.
In line with the main scope of the MSCA-CITIZENS action, the project “SuperScienceMe - RESearch is your RE- Source” builds a symbolic bridge that connects past and future by passing through the present and gets researchers closer to the general public encouraging at the same time the youth, especially the women, to embark on scientific careers, thus driving everyone’s effort towards a more equitable, green, resilient and healthy Europe.
In particular, in a social context where the school dropout rate is higher than the European average (13.5 percent vs. 9.9 percent) and only 44 percent of students go on to higher education, SuperScienceMe brings research results to schools in urban, sub-urban and rural areas in two neighboring regions of Southern Italy (Calabria and Basilicata, with more than 3,800 schools) to help build a science-literate society.
The main objectives are:
- To enhance engagement with citizen on Research &Innovation;
- To promote the understanding that research goes beyond social and/or territorial boundaries, and to sustains fair and inclusive education;
- To better understand the key benefits from research to society;
- To create a learning opportunity for pupils through a direct interaction with researchers;
- To encourage young people, especially girls, to embark on research career.
Main conclusions:
SuperScienceMe offered a unique opportunity to generate social impact through the dissemination of scientific knowledge, active public engagement, and the creation of meaningful collaborations. This project contributed to promoting an informed, aware, and innovative society. By supporting and participating in the Researchers’ Night, we could illuminate the future, inspiring and nurturing a new generation of scientists, innovators, and engaged citizens.
Researchers are like curious children, whose attention is inexorably attracted by the charm of nature; they are inebriate by so much beauty, then ask questions and seek for answers, they study tirelessly, attempting to unveil the secrets of the Universe.
SuperScienceMe aims at spreading this message to children, young people, men, women and families,
in a historical moment in which people are bewildered, facing challenges that seem insurmountable for mankind. Only science can help humanity to reach the summit and to scan the horizon of the future with hope. For this noble purpose, SuperScienceMe asks for help from one of the greatest scientists that history can remember: Leonardo da Vinci. The Italian genius will accompany SuperScienceMe and modern scientists on a wonderful journey among the people, to tell them the exciting fairy tale of science.
In line with the main scope of the MSCA-CITIZENS action, the project “SuperScienceMe - RESearch is your RE- Source” builds a symbolic bridge that connects past and future by passing through the present and gets researchers closer to the general public encouraging at the same time the youth, especially the women, to embark on scientific careers, thus driving everyone’s effort towards a more equitable, green, resilient and healthy Europe.
In particular, in a social context where the school dropout rate is higher than the European average (13.5 percent vs. 9.9 percent) and only 44 percent of students go on to higher education, SuperScienceMe brings research results to schools in urban, sub-urban and rural areas in two neighboring regions of Southern Italy (Calabria and Basilicata, with more than 3,800 schools) to help build a science-literate society.
The main objectives are:
- To enhance engagement with citizen on Research &Innovation;
- To promote the understanding that research goes beyond social and/or territorial boundaries, and to sustains fair and inclusive education;
- To better understand the key benefits from research to society;
- To create a learning opportunity for pupils through a direct interaction with researchers;
- To encourage young people, especially girls, to embark on research career.
Main conclusions:
SuperScienceMe offered a unique opportunity to generate social impact through the dissemination of scientific knowledge, active public engagement, and the creation of meaningful collaborations. This project contributed to promoting an informed, aware, and innovative society. By supporting and participating in the Researchers’ Night, we could illuminate the future, inspiring and nurturing a new generation of scientists, innovators, and engaged citizens.
The following data and information provided covers the 2023 edition of the NIGHT.
"Awareness campaign” main results:
Promotional materials
• online (banners, advertisements, websites, links to relevant EU websites and social networks) and offline (roll-ups, folders, brochures, flyers, posters, press kits, promotional t-shirts in the colors of the 5 EU missions, event maps, research experiment catalogue gadgets, SuperScienceMe cardboard cutout for photos.
Promotional activities first, during and after the 2023 edition of the NIGHT:
o Pre- event “Basilicata Calabria: from Pollino to Aspromonte Open-Return”, organization
of a video making in thirty schools of the rural, suburban and urban areas of Calabria and Basilicata. In this tour the researchers assumed the role of "influencer" about the five EU missions, arousing curiosity of students and their teachers and preparing them for the future development of scientific projects in their schools (WP3 – Researchers at schools activity).
o Pre- event “Experience in hospital”: demonstrations, experiments, educational activities and games at the pediatrics department of the spoke hospital in Castrovillari (CS);
o Other activities:
o Press office;
o Virtual point info through telephone contacts and e-mails;
o Promotion on social networks;
o Realization of videos, photos and interviews with researchers and visitors, during the event;
o Promotion of the evening program (Science show, shows, concerts).
"Activity during the Night" main results:
Experiencing research: n. 198 laboratory’s experiences and demonstrations
Social inclusion: n. 2 sub-activity dedicated to hospitalized children and to prisoners.
Thematic Corners: n. 4 thematic corners (EU Space, Gender Space, Innovation Space, National and Regional Space)
Imagine the research: n. 1 thematic contest
Edutainment activities: n. 1 edutainment programme, with different educational and entertainment activities
“Researchers at Schools” main results:
- 37 Schools involved (11 from Lucanian Region, 26 from Calabria Region);
- 51 researchers from various backgrounds and genders selected to work in the schools involved on the current societal challenges related to EU Research and Innovation Missions: (Adaptation to climate change, Cancer, Restore our Ocean, seas and waters by 2030, Climate neutral and smart cities, Soil health and food);
- 1559 students from Calabrian and Lucanian Regional Schools with different orders and grades (Primary, Middle and Upper Secondary Schools) selected;
- Creation of 45 S-TEAMs comprising at least a researcher, a teacher and students selected by the teacher. Each S-TEAM worked to bring out the students' ideas and to design the "case" to be present at the Case Conference. The co-design process implied several meetings between researchers, teachers and students at the schools in the present and remotely.
- 40 projects implemented (29 in Calabria and 11 in Basilicata), distributed in 4 of the 5 Eu Missions:
o Adaptation to climate change: 12 (26%);
o Climate neutral and smart cities: 7 (18%);
o Restore our Ocean, seas and waters by 2030: 8 (21%);
o Soil health and food: 13 (34%);
- 4 case conferences organized
"Impact assessment" main results:
Online registration : 12.000
Website counter : 52.104
Polls : 650
Social Network : 5.592
Questionnaires for academic community : 635
Vignettes and Feedback : 208
Face-to-Face interview: 100
Independent teacher opinion: 77 %
"Awareness campaign” main results:
Promotional materials
• online (banners, advertisements, websites, links to relevant EU websites and social networks) and offline (roll-ups, folders, brochures, flyers, posters, press kits, promotional t-shirts in the colors of the 5 EU missions, event maps, research experiment catalogue gadgets, SuperScienceMe cardboard cutout for photos.
Promotional activities first, during and after the 2023 edition of the NIGHT:
o Pre- event “Basilicata Calabria: from Pollino to Aspromonte Open-Return”, organization
of a video making in thirty schools of the rural, suburban and urban areas of Calabria and Basilicata. In this tour the researchers assumed the role of "influencer" about the five EU missions, arousing curiosity of students and their teachers and preparing them for the future development of scientific projects in their schools (WP3 – Researchers at schools activity).
o Pre- event “Experience in hospital”: demonstrations, experiments, educational activities and games at the pediatrics department of the spoke hospital in Castrovillari (CS);
o Other activities:
o Press office;
o Virtual point info through telephone contacts and e-mails;
o Promotion on social networks;
o Realization of videos, photos and interviews with researchers and visitors, during the event;
o Promotion of the evening program (Science show, shows, concerts).
"Activity during the Night" main results:
Experiencing research: n. 198 laboratory’s experiences and demonstrations
Social inclusion: n. 2 sub-activity dedicated to hospitalized children and to prisoners.
Thematic Corners: n. 4 thematic corners (EU Space, Gender Space, Innovation Space, National and Regional Space)
Imagine the research: n. 1 thematic contest
Edutainment activities: n. 1 edutainment programme, with different educational and entertainment activities
“Researchers at Schools” main results:
- 37 Schools involved (11 from Lucanian Region, 26 from Calabria Region);
- 51 researchers from various backgrounds and genders selected to work in the schools involved on the current societal challenges related to EU Research and Innovation Missions: (Adaptation to climate change, Cancer, Restore our Ocean, seas and waters by 2030, Climate neutral and smart cities, Soil health and food);
- 1559 students from Calabrian and Lucanian Regional Schools with different orders and grades (Primary, Middle and Upper Secondary Schools) selected;
- Creation of 45 S-TEAMs comprising at least a researcher, a teacher and students selected by the teacher. Each S-TEAM worked to bring out the students' ideas and to design the "case" to be present at the Case Conference. The co-design process implied several meetings between researchers, teachers and students at the schools in the present and remotely.
- 40 projects implemented (29 in Calabria and 11 in Basilicata), distributed in 4 of the 5 Eu Missions:
o Adaptation to climate change: 12 (26%);
o Climate neutral and smart cities: 7 (18%);
o Restore our Ocean, seas and waters by 2030: 8 (21%);
o Soil health and food: 13 (34%);
- 4 case conferences organized
"Impact assessment" main results:
Online registration : 12.000
Website counter : 52.104
Polls : 650
Social Network : 5.592
Questionnaires for academic community : 635
Vignettes and Feedback : 208
Face-to-Face interview: 100
Independent teacher opinion: 77 %
Compared to the previous editions of the Night of Researchers in Calabria and Basilicata, certainly it should be marked that the activity "Researchers at School", included for the first time in the 2022 program, has attracted a lot of interest and participation from schools and students.
For the next editions the consortium, in order to ensure an higher success , and an higher impact, need to strengthen the collaboration with the regional school offices for a greater and more widespread promotion of the activities " Researchers at School " and to anticipate the selection of researchers so as to increase the number of researchers involved.
For the next editions the consortium, in order to ensure an higher success , and an higher impact, need to strengthen the collaboration with the regional school offices for a greater and more widespread promotion of the activities " Researchers at School " and to anticipate the selection of researchers so as to increase the number of researchers involved.