Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ResHERO (European Researchers' Night and Researchers at Schools 2024-2025 in Malopolska)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-04-01 al 2025-12-31
The main goal of the European Researchers’ Night (ERN) in Małopolska: to bring science and the scientific profession closer to the wider community, to increase awareness of research and innovation activities and public appreciation of the work of scientists, its importance for society and the economy, to make the public aware of the impact of scientists' work on our daily lives, to stimulate interest in research and scientific careers among young people.
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.
There were organised 2 editions of the European Researchers' Night in Małopolska (2024 and 2025) and “Researchers at Schools” activities (part of planned activities for 2-year project).
All activities were accompanied by the common theme "SUPER-HEROS-RESEARCHERS SAVE THE WORLD". With this tagline and reference to the ideas and characters of super-heroes known to everyone, especially children and young people, we wanted to draw the public's attention more strongly to the role played by scientists in the development of the world, in the fight against environmental and climate threats, and how inventions affect our everyday lives. 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.
Every year ca. institutions from more than 10 cities of the Małopolska Region were involved in the ERN. 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.
Approx. 3,000 activities were offered for participants every year.
There were also the art contests organised as pre-events.
Type of activities during the ERN 2024 and 2025: 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.
There were also a series of scientific events throughout the school year – the “Researchers at Schools” activities. These events involve numerous workshops, demos etc. – the scientists meet 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 event 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 and FB PIXEL), 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 report.
All activities were accompanied by the common theme "SUPER-HEROS-RESEARCHERS SAVE THE WORLD". With this tagline and reference to the ideas and characters of super-heroes known to everyone, especially children and young people, we wanted to draw the public's attention more strongly to the role played by scientists in the development of the world, in the fight against environmental and climate threats, and how inventions affect our everyday lives. 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.
Every year ca. institutions from more than 10 cities of the Małopolska Region were involved in the ERN. 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.
Approx. 3,000 activities were offered for participants every year.
There were also the art contests organised as pre-events.
Type of activities during the ERN 2024 and 2025: 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.
There were also a series of scientific events throughout the school year – the “Researchers at Schools” activities. These events involve numerous workshops, demos etc. – the scientists meet 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 event 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 and FB PIXEL), 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 report.
Quantitative indicators of the ERN 2024 and 2025 in Małopolska:
- 12 cities (2024) and 13 cities (2025) of Małopolska where ERN was held
- ca. 140 event locations in ca. 70 partner institutions every year
- about 2,600 involved researchers, employees and students, and 110 science clubs every year
- over 3,000 organized activities every year
- over 65,000 people who participated in the ERN in Małopolska every year.
Quantitative indicators of the “Researchers at Schools” activities:
- ca. 740 organised activities
- ca. 170 researchers, employees and students involved
- ca. 30,200 participants of activities.
Qualitative indicators:
Overall feedback about the ERN and “Researchers at Schools” activities is very positive.
- 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 (ca. 50%) 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 (ca. 45%).
- 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 (ca. 60%).
- Scientists were associated by the vast majority of students with positive features, including: wisdom (ca. 73%), ingenuity (ca. 50%) and diligence (ca. 45%). When asked about the reasons why they could become scientists, students most often indicated: interesting work (ca. 50%), high earnings (ca. 43%), and the possibility of doing exceptional things (ca. 40%).
- 12 cities (2024) and 13 cities (2025) of Małopolska where ERN was held
- ca. 140 event locations in ca. 70 partner institutions every year
- about 2,600 involved researchers, employees and students, and 110 science clubs every year
- over 3,000 organized activities every year
- over 65,000 people who participated in the ERN in Małopolska every year.
Quantitative indicators of the “Researchers at Schools” activities:
- ca. 740 organised activities
- ca. 170 researchers, employees and students involved
- ca. 30,200 participants of activities.
Qualitative indicators:
Overall feedback about the ERN and “Researchers at Schools” activities is very positive.
- 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 (ca. 50%) 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 (ca. 45%).
- 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 (ca. 60%).
- Scientists were associated by the vast majority of students with positive features, including: wisdom (ca. 73%), ingenuity (ca. 50%) and diligence (ca. 45%). When asked about the reasons why they could become scientists, students most often indicated: interesting work (ca. 50%), high earnings (ca. 43%), and the possibility of doing exceptional things (ca. 40%).