*A 360 degree communication strategy based on the concept of “Reaching audience with target group-tailored messages at the correct time, at the right place and with adequate frequency” was undertaken with both off-line (ranging from public advertising to official invitations to all schools in Ankara) and on-line tools (ranging from a social media campaign to a project website) of communication and for both target groups, namely science communicators (scientists, artists, undergraduate and graduate students taking on activities and science beneficiaries (public at large regardless of age and scientific background).
*More than 5,000 students with an equal ratio of female and male participants from 110 schools from various municipalities of Ankara, and 3 schools from cities other than Ankara attended RN2019@Ankara. The school level distribution of these students were 5% preschool, 7% primary school, 45% secondary school and 43% high school.
*The target of hosting a total of 10,000 on-site participants throughout the NIGHT was slightly over-estimated with a nonetheless successful count of nearly 8,000 visitors, revealing that the awareness campaign of StART was appropriate and effective.
*A successful count of 2M+ on-line/indirect beneficiaries was reached. This social media outreach was double the targeted 1M. Hence, a significant population was made aware of European Researchers’ Night and its objectives, indicating that the awareness campaign of StART was effective and fruitful.
*There were a total of 44 day-time activities developed by nearly 50 scientists and artists. By the end of the day, more than 500 volunteers contributed to the realization of StART. Their joint aim was to show how art can be inspired by science and vice-versa and how art and science can collaborate to better understand the world around us and increase our welfare. The day-time activities also included an EU-corner.
*The night-time activities were as follows in order of chronology: (i) an illusion show, (ii) a panel entitled “Science and Art are like the Wings of a Bird” with two ODTÜ faculty members, one film director, one photographer, and a radio host as the moderator, (iii) pizza with science communicators, and lastly two simultaneous events: (iv-a) a science fiction movie show and a concert with complementary character masks, soup and popcorn and (iv-b) “Treble Clef of Science” Gala Concert.
*The value of the gala concert lied in the fact that it not only was produced and directed by a singing instructor at the Department of Music and Fine Arts, ODTÜ; but also incorporated the science lying behind music with a special scientific presentation and introduction of voice types by a vocal coach. Tens of vocal artists, musicians and a conductor from the DG State Opera and Ballet and/or State Conservatory performed in this special event. Nearly 800 people attended this gala concert.
*To determine whether RN2019@Ankara was successful or not, a cross-sectional survey was adopted. Three questionnaires were prepared for each target group; i.e. students, teachers and adults. Data were collected from students (n=466), teachers (n=57) and adults (n=54) attending the event on September 27th, 2019 between 10.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. Additionally, semi-structured interviews with 45 adult volunteers were conducted. With respect to the key conclusions given below, it can be concluded that the “StART: Science through ART” event was able to convey its aims to its participants.
-Most of the participants were satisfied with all aspects of the event. While primary school students were most satisfied with the content and researchers of the event, secondary and high school students were more satisfied with the content and organization of the event. As for teachers and adults, they were most satisfied with the researchers and staff of the event.
-For all three groups (students, teachers and adults), the majority of the participants’ most favourite aspect of the event was being able to establish the relationship between science and art by means of activities in the event.
-Most of the participants reported that there was nothing in the event that they disliked. However, the small number of participants that did; stated that the organization, routing, and variety of activities were the aspects of the event that they were less than satisfied with. Increasing the number of activities, offering a larger event area and extending the duration of the event were some common suggestions made by those who thought there were aspects to be improved by the organizing committee
-All of the changes in the participants’ views on science and scientists and art and artists as a result of their participation in the event were in a positive direction in contrast to the stereotyping revealed in the literature.
-The majority of the students reported that their willingness to learn science as well as their belief that they can learn science has increased as a result of their participation in the event.
-Almost all of the teachers thought that the event was very successful or successful in improving their students’ love of science, interest in science, understanding of science, and perception of scientists.
-The majority of participants reported that they would like to participate in similar science festivals due to their satisfaction with the “StART: Science through Art” event.
