Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Nacht der Wissenschaft in der Kiel Region 2018/2019

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SCIENCE4FUTURE (Nacht der Wissenschaft in der Kiel Region 2018/2019)

Reporting period: 2019-03-01 to 2019-12-31

SCIENCE4FUTURE aims to:
o break down stereotypes about researchers and their careers as well as increase appreciation for researchers’ work through personal interactions with researchers;
o spark interest in research in young people, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, through a professional media campaign and by offering carefully selected activities at suitable venues targeted at school classes
o develop an understanding that research has an impact on every aspect of our daily lives through theme-based activities presented by researchers;
o give public an overview of the wide range of research projects happening at our doorstep and the various benefits they generate by including all research organisation in the events
o increase the uptake of regular practical research-related activities in homes, nurseries and schools by training teachers, nursery staff and parents during the NIGHTs in simple “take-home” experiments;
o improve coordination between research organisations and regional/national initiatives that aim at increasing awareness of science in schools, nurseries and non-formal education settings;
o achieve international visibility for the Kiel Region as a hub for excellent research;
o increase the uptake of research careers, by increasing the number of pupils with university entrance qualifications and increasing the number of students enrolled in our region’s universities;
o establish an annual regional European Researchers’ Night in the Kiel Region;
Target Groups of awareness Campaign:
o Public regardless of age and scientific background
o Children and young people
o Teachers, nursery staff and parents
o Vulnerable and minority groups

Key Messages:
o Researchers are ordinary people with extraordinary Jobs and come from all walks of life
o Everyone could become a researcher
o Research is an exciting and rewarding career choice, is the key economic driver for our Region and affects every aspect of our daily life
o Science is wonder-ful!

Off-line
o display of promotional material;
o articles in press and free city magazines;
o promotional spots on regional radio & TV channels
o mailings to regional nurseries, schools, youth clubs and children's’ centres,

On-line
o updating project website
o Links to partners' websites;
o Updating social network profiles;
o viral Videos about SCIENCE4FUTURE and its Contents
o E-Mail-Newsletters

Overview of the results
o Use of established branding and visual identity of SCIENCE4FUTURE to ensure high recognition
o press conference (25 May 2018)
o 06/18: posters, postcards as a “save-the date” message
o written promotional material at all local schools
o Regular publication of articles in newspapers and free City magazines 06-09/18
o From 08/2018 distribution of programme booklet
o Production of dedicated leaflet for primary and secondary schools in 08-0918 on class-based activities
o announcements, promotional spots, through radio and TV stations
o constant updating of website, launch of Programme with filter and search functions
o Display of flags and banners prior to the NIGHT
o Use of the city’s large digital roadside screens throughout 09/2018
o in 08 and 09/18 announcements through the official partners’ websites;
o Increased activity on social media in 09/2018
o overall 1 million people made aware of the event and key Messages

Tasks during the NIGHT (Highlights)
o Training parents and nursery staff on how to introduce young children to science
o Mini Language Courses on the science ferry
o Health care, electro-mobility and the internet of things - mega trends explained by scientists
o archaeologists prepare a typical Neanderthal meal
o economists take a stand and discuss with the audience;
o Panel discussion on how to make research careers more accessible for people with special needs
o 50.000 samples in Europe’s largest public biomaterial storage facilities
o Opening of (usually inaccessible) archives accompanied by researchers’ talks
o Science Battle where pupils compete against a researcher team and each other
o Science Pub Quiz
o Artistic interpretations of inflammatory diseases;
o Using physics, chemistry and biology to discover how energy works
o science-related films with accompanying researcher talks;
o “Rathausbunker” nightclub with researcher-turned-DJ;
o free shuttle bus connects the different venues; a free ferry connects the two banks of the city;
o all locations (except ferry and research vessels) accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and have child-friendly facilities;

Overview of the results
o Official opening by representative of the Government of Schleswig-Holstein;
o Closing of the event in the early hours of the following morning;
o Activities with particular focus on themes of “Identity” and “cultural heritage”,
o Activities in the CITTI Park shopping mall throughout the day until 8 p.m.;
o Special programme for school classes in the morning
o All other venues offering activities between 3pm and 11pm;
o Record number of participating venues (17) and activities on offer (250):
o Specific children’s and young people’s programme
o Three-stage Science Battle pitting pupils against scientists, involving local ad regional secondary schools,
o Participation of specialist location involved in the preservation of cultural heritage to mark the EYCH
o Lecture marathon of “best-of-the-best” professors of Kiel


o Active involvement of over 500 Researchers
o nearly 16.000 visitors took part in the activities offered;

With a view to 2019:
o Clearly structured and varied programme,
o Good mix of hands-on activities and talks;
o aim for larger centralised venues
o Review the class-based programme ,
o Increase visibility of EU in research Funding

Tasks for Impact assessment

Methodology

Quantitative data
o Number of newspaper adverts posted and of E-newsletters circulated
o Number of visits
o Distributed flyers, postcards, posters;
o Number of participating Researchers and stakeholder organisations
o Number of activities during the NIGHT
o number of newspaper articles, radio and TV reports before, during and after SCIENCE4FUTURE
o Social network campaign (hits, views, likes and Shares, followers)
o Number of EU funded researchers involved in the NIGHT

Qualitative data
o Public attitudes towards researchers
o Changes in attitudes

Implementation of the impact assessment methodology
o Conducted by Master students
o Use of template from 2016/17 to ensure comparability
o Used as an intercept 2-3-minute survey at the entrance of each venue
Collection, analysis and processing of 588 questionnaires based on a survey conducted in 10 of the 17 venues, and 60 follow-ups via phone calls
o Participation rewarded by give-away
o Typology of visitors: 58 % female, 42 % male, average age 36-37, most aged 18-33 (37%), followed by aged 34-49 (33%), 67 % from Kiel, about 73 % having completed/currently in tertiary education, 48 % have a researcher in their family
o Overall positive feedback about the event itself
o Improved public perception of researchers and research:
o More positive attitude towards science and scientists
o More realistic and refined picture of research after attending the NIGHT
Feedback from researchers:
o Minor logistical and technical problems
o Enthusiasm regarding the direct contact with a wider and more diverse audience than usual
o General will expressed to be involved in the 2019 event
SCIENCE4FUTURE - pupils compete in the science battle
SCIENCE4FUTURE - cutural heritage at the researchers' night
SCIENCE4FUTURE - explaining research to children
My booklet 0 0