SySTEM 2020: Connecting Science Learning Outside The Classroom

Project Information

SySTEM 2020

Grant agreement ID: 788317

DOI

10.3030/788317

Project closed

EC signature date 18 April 2018

Start date 1 May 2018

End date 30 June 2021

Funded under

• Encourage citizens to engage in science through formal and informal science education, and promote the diffusion of science-based activities, namely in science centres and through other appropriate channels

Total cost

€ 2 999 982,00

EU contribution

€ 2 999 982,00

Coordinated by

THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SySTEM 2020 (SySTEM 2020: Connecting Science Learning Outside The Classroom)

Reporting period: 2019-08-01 to 2021-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The extent to which science permeates our society has become even clearer throughout the SySTEM 2020 project as the coronavirus pandemic has transformed lives worldwide. An understanding of, and engagement with health sciences are now imperative for politicians and populations alike as we navigate lockdowns, social distancing and vaccination strategies. Innovation and technology have transformed our work and learning spaces, and have been crucial in tracking and modelling virus growth and minimising infections. It is clear that in order to be an active citizen, understanding science and technology is crucial. The science learning that contributes to this understanding is not just bound to schools, but is prevalent in the wider world.

The SySTEM 2020 project (2018-2021) has worked to assess, influence and evaluate out-of-school science learning for young people aged 9-20 across Europe. SySTEM 2020 had five key objectives:

ASSESS
Generate an extensive and widespread overview of non-formal and informal science learning in Europe, to contribute to the knowledge base of Horizon 2020’s Science with and for Society strand.

UNDERSTAND & IDEATE
Involve stakeholders, including learners and educators from diverse backgrounds, to collaboratively define the main challenges relating to science learning outside the classroom.

DESIGN, DEVELOP & EXECUTE
Produce new tools and research instruments, and implement in partner organisations’ non-formal science learning programmes.

REFLECT & EVOLVE
Analyse results from research into non-formal science learning, and use these to inform and improve practice.

ENGAGE & INFORM
Communicate and engage our peers and stakeholders via social media campaigns, research papers, conferences and workshops, sharing key project milestones and outcomes.

The specific approaches used to achieve these objectives were:
- An interactive online map of Europe & Israel, showing informal science learning organisations and their activities.
- A longitudinal science attitudes and identities survey, to explore young peoples’ relationships with science.
- A self-evaluation/reflection tool, to be used by young people to reflect on their skills development and science learning experiences in non-formal settings.
- A co-designed toolkit of approaches to tackle inequity in science learning.
- Learning portfolios to foster critical reflection on science learning activities.
- An observation mapping tool which learners use to apply scientific methods in their own lives.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

- The SySTEM 2020 map plotted 1461 organisations and 1544 activities across Europe.
- The science attitudes survey was completed at least once by 1468 young people, of which 736 young people completed the survey again one year later.
- 1206 learners who took part in workshops at consortium institutions completed self-evaluation or self-reflection on their skills development or science learning.
- 34 learners obtained credentials from SySTEM 2020 for science learning achievements.
- The Design Principles & Methods Toolkit was collaboratively developed with learners and experts within and beyond the project.
- 243 learning portfolios were created by learners in non-formal science settings. 57 were analysed for research.
- An observation mapping tool was developed and tested by 21 learners. The approach was shared in an open online session & through open-access documentation.

SySTEM 2020 has communicated, disseminated and exploited project outputs and outcomes:

- 147 events organised by project partners, estimated to have reached over 49,000 people. Over 7000 were professionals involved in education, policymaking, research, or civil society NGOs.
- SySTEM 2020 has been disseminated in over 1100 unique activities, including 25 conference sessions, 33 press releases, 22 non-peer reviewed publications and 139 online campaigns.
- Our project newsletter was shared regularly throughout the project, with 8 editions reaching a maximum of 1410 subscribers.

SySTEM 2020 results have been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals:

- Durall, E. et al. (2020). Co-creation and co-design in technology-enhanced learning: Innovating science learning outside the classroom. Interaction Design and Architecture (s), 42, 202-226
- Brown, A. et al. (2020). Engaging migrant and refugee communities in non-formal science learning spaces. Journal of Science Communication, 19(4), R01
- Durall, E. et al. (2021). Co-designing for equity in informal science learning: a proof-of-concept study of design principles. Frontiers in Education, 6, p204
- Brown, A. et al. (2021) Zines as Reflective Evaluation Within Interdisciplinary Learning Programmes. Frontiers in Education, 6, p199
- Seebacher, L. M. et al. (2021): Is science for everyone? Exploring intersectional inequalities in connecting with science across learning environments. Frontiers in Education, 6, p261

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Key resources from SySTEM 2020 will continue to deliver impacts beyond the lifetime of the project:

- SySTEM 2020 Final Project Report is available online to read via Issuu, for download via the project website and Zenodo, and in a printed version which has been circulated to 60 project collaborators. Following a launch event, social media activity, and planned advocacy from the SySTEM 2020 consortium, we expect the Final Project Report to be a valuable resource for the sector going forward.
- SySTEM 2020 Design Principles and Methods Toolkit has been downloaded over 100 times from the project website and Zenodo, and has been well received across Europe. The Design Principles have already been incorporated by SySTEM 2020 partner organisations.
- SySTEM 2020 White Paper is available for download via the project website and Zenodo. A brief containing policy recommendations will also be shared with policymakers by SySTEM 2020 partners.
- SySTEM 2020 Map Dataset holds huge potential to enable future research into non-formal and informal science learning opportunities across Europe. It is available for download via the project website and Zenodo.

The science learning approaches developed through SySTEM 2020 will continue to have impact for organisations within and beyond the consortium. Resources containing guidance for implementing the Observation Mapper, Learning Portfolio, Self-Reflection and Self-Evaluation approaches, as well as resources for collaborative co-design workshops are available on the project website. The Learning Portfolio approach has been adopted by four project partners as a regular programme feature. This approach has been shared through conferences, research papers, and workshops, and has garnered interest from science educators beyond the consortium, who expressed intentions to implement Learning Portfolios with their learners.

The vast reach of SySTEM 2020 across Europe, and ongoing collaboration between partners will ensure that resources will continue to be referred to, shared with, and used by the informal science learning and engagement sector. This will lead to lasting impacts on research, practice and crucially, young learners’ experiences in the coming years.

Screengrab of the SySTEM 2020 map

Young learners enjoying Parque Ciencias

A SySTEM 2020 Youth Workshop