Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CAPTAIN (Science is the Captain)
Período documentado: 2020-07-01 hasta 2021-05-31
Science is the Captain project is inspired by the famous quote of Leonardo da Vinci, who can be easily regarded as the epitome of the universal mind, full of intelligence, curiosity and creativity. The traits that are necessary for discovering the unfathomable and for pursuing the career of a scientist and inventor, encompassing the general public with a special focus on youth and their families living in different regions of Georgia. Therefore, Science is the Captain project is bringing together its communication “soldiers”, stationed not only in the community of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), but also in scientific-wise, less expected sectors of culture, sport and literature.
Project started with the promotional campaign - on June 2020 - aiming to raise awareness of the wider public about European Researchers’ Night. The project intended to ensure science popularization in all layers of Georgian society.
The aim of pre-events and implemented activities was to reveal and increase the visibility for ongoing researches in order to facilitate further development of scientific disciplines in the regions and to raise awareness on researchers throughout the country.
Work performed within the project:
WP1: AWARENESS CAMPAIGN - PRE-EVENTS:
5 CONFERENCES in different fields;
6 CONTESTS - aiming to reveal the visible and invisible links between science and art;
WEBPAGE www.captain2020.ge - contextually, structurally and visually overlaps with the content, aims and goals of the project;
YOUTUBE CHANNEL - played essential role in virtual implementation of the project activities;
FACEBOOK PAGE (მეცნიერება კაპიტანია) - Feedback from up to 413,000 users;
TIK-TOK PAGE - aimed to raise awareness about the project in a new generation in an entertaining-cognitive format;
CREATIVE MARKETING - a number of activities in the field of creative marketing were implemented, including social media challenges;
NIGHT EVENT PROMOTION was planned according to the recommendations of the NCDA - through online and printed media, websites, social media and various awareness-raising activities;
OPEN MUSEUMS - 11 lectures from the museums were held virtually;
POPULAR SCIENCE LECTURES - aimed to increase awareness about the project in general public;
TRAINING IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & SCIENCE SCHOOL DIGITAL DIPLOMACY;
OPEN THE DOOR TO SCIENCE - IMAGE VIDEOS - aiming to promote the scientific achievements, present ongoing research projects and popularize the researchers and scientists;
TV PROGRAM - CONFUSE THE SCIENTIST - The children's TV program.
WP2 - ACTIVITIES DURING NIGHT:
As part of the NIGHT event an opening event was held, where outstanding H2020 researchers were awarded with special certificates and awards. A science fair was also held with the participation of more than 20 research and academic organizations. The event was held virtually and participants presented up to 100 video activities, 5 virtual meetings with students in scientific talks. Scientific voyage was organized in the regions, 8 universities from 6 cities of Georgia (Tbilisi, Telavi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Akhaltsikhe and Zugdidi) were virtually involved in the event, they presented video activities, scientific research and future potential. A game similar to the symbolic Fort Boyard was organized in historical Castle of Rabati, Akhaltsikhe, where all created barriers was of scientific characteristics. The game offered educational, enjoyable theme, in which participants were the pupils of the local schools. Online conferences were held, in which were involved researchers, policy makers, businessmen, students, pupils. Involvements and activities from specially arranged European Science Corner spaces.
WP3 - IMPACT assessment:
Assessment tools: defined. Implemented in ongoing assessment process.
Questionnaires and surveys: developed; Are being conducted by the project impact assessment team and volunteers (ongoing assessment process).
Preliminary results of the impact assessment: provided and revealed.
Open the Door to Science – impact assessment activities from the perspective of the schools: in the process of implementation.
Impact assessment and feedback analysis of the activities of Work Package 1 and 2 are underway.
WP4 - MANAGEMENT:
Organizing committee of the project: established.
Meetings based on project implementation are being constantly organized.
Digitization of the project: completed.
Management of the project activities: ongoing process.
Collaboration with educational and scientific-research institutions: ongoing process.
Preparation of the reports: ongoing process.
The aim of pre-events and implemented activities was to reveal and increase the visibility for ongoing researches in order to facilitate further development of scientific disciplines in the regions and to raise awareness on researchers throughout the country.
Work performed within the project:
WP1: AWARENESS CAMPAIGN - PRE-EVENTS:
5 CONFERENCES in different fields;
6 CONTESTS - aiming to reveal the visible and invisible links between science and art;
WEBPAGE www.captain2020.ge - contextually, structurally and visually overlaps with the content, aims and goals of the project;
YOUTUBE CHANNEL - played essential role in virtual implementation of the project activities;
FACEBOOK PAGE (მეცნიერება კაპიტანია) - Feedback from up to 413,000 users;
TIK-TOK PAGE - aimed to raise awareness about the project in a new generation in an entertaining-cognitive format;
CREATIVE MARKETING - a number of activities in the field of creative marketing were implemented, including social media challenges;
NIGHT EVENT PROMOTION was planned according to the recommendations of the NCDA - through online and printed media, websites, social media and various awareness-raising activities;
OPEN MUSEUMS - 11 lectures from the museums were held virtually;
POPULAR SCIENCE LECTURES - aimed to increase awareness about the project in general public;
TRAINING IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & SCIENCE SCHOOL DIGITAL DIPLOMACY;
OPEN THE DOOR TO SCIENCE - IMAGE VIDEOS - aiming to promote the scientific achievements, present ongoing research projects and popularize the researchers and scientists;
TV PROGRAM - CONFUSE THE SCIENTIST - The children's TV program.
WP2 - ACTIVITIES DURING NIGHT:
As part of the NIGHT event an opening event was held, where outstanding H2020 researchers were awarded with special certificates and awards. A science fair was also held with the participation of more than 20 research and academic organizations. The event was held virtually and participants presented up to 100 video activities, 5 virtual meetings with students in scientific talks. Scientific voyage was organized in the regions, 8 universities from 6 cities of Georgia (Tbilisi, Telavi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Akhaltsikhe and Zugdidi) were virtually involved in the event, they presented video activities, scientific research and future potential. A game similar to the symbolic Fort Boyard was organized in historical Castle of Rabati, Akhaltsikhe, where all created barriers was of scientific characteristics. The game offered educational, enjoyable theme, in which participants were the pupils of the local schools. Online conferences were held, in which were involved researchers, policy makers, businessmen, students, pupils. Involvements and activities from specially arranged European Science Corner spaces.
WP3 - IMPACT assessment:
Assessment tools: defined. Implemented in ongoing assessment process.
Questionnaires and surveys: developed; Are being conducted by the project impact assessment team and volunteers (ongoing assessment process).
Preliminary results of the impact assessment: provided and revealed.
Open the Door to Science – impact assessment activities from the perspective of the schools: in the process of implementation.
Impact assessment and feedback analysis of the activities of Work Package 1 and 2 are underway.
WP4 - MANAGEMENT:
Organizing committee of the project: established.
Meetings based on project implementation are being constantly organized.
Digitization of the project: completed.
Management of the project activities: ongoing process.
Collaboration with educational and scientific-research institutions: ongoing process.
Preparation of the reports: ongoing process.
Due to the new regulations during the pandemic in Georgia, most of the events of the project “Science is the captain!” were held online. Accordingly, the impact assessment plan was modified and converted into digital format. The assessment started with the beginning of the project and still continues to collect necessary quantitative and qualitative data for measuring impact.
The purpose of the impact assessment was to determine if project facilitated increasing understanding, popularity and accessibility of science among the population; to assess how interesting, fun, and beneficial the activities were for the participants.
The impact assessment is being conducted by the major assessment group and also by 37 student-volunteers from the different universities. At this point, the first stage of the field-work has been carried out and the preliminary raw quantitative and qualitative data were collected.
The database of quantitative online survey consists of 550 high school students questionnaires. at this point, the first stage of the field-work has been carried out and preliminary raw quantitative and qualitative data were collected. based on the preliminary data of the assessment, it can be assumed that the project has a wide distribution among the population of Georgia, especially among pupils and students. this is also indicated by the growing interest in the project website (and other social media pages). At the moment FB page has 1381 likes and 1466 followers. also noteworthy are the benefits (including social and economic), that were given to the various parties involved in the project. they gained knowledge about the EU and its funded projects; volunteers received free training in qualitative and quantitative research methods and acquired research and work experience; students participating in competitions were awarded cash prizes, their works are presented for free on the website; research universities have created their own image videos; video-lectures of honored scientists have been created; some scientists have been trained free of charge to gain new skills and etc. all this is an effective and wide-ranging advertising of Georgian science, professors, research centers and universities. this, in turn, should have a long-term impact on the popularization of science among the wider population.
The purpose of the impact assessment was to determine if project facilitated increasing understanding, popularity and accessibility of science among the population; to assess how interesting, fun, and beneficial the activities were for the participants.
The impact assessment is being conducted by the major assessment group and also by 37 student-volunteers from the different universities. At this point, the first stage of the field-work has been carried out and the preliminary raw quantitative and qualitative data were collected.
The database of quantitative online survey consists of 550 high school students questionnaires. at this point, the first stage of the field-work has been carried out and preliminary raw quantitative and qualitative data were collected. based on the preliminary data of the assessment, it can be assumed that the project has a wide distribution among the population of Georgia, especially among pupils and students. this is also indicated by the growing interest in the project website (and other social media pages). At the moment FB page has 1381 likes and 1466 followers. also noteworthy are the benefits (including social and economic), that were given to the various parties involved in the project. they gained knowledge about the EU and its funded projects; volunteers received free training in qualitative and quantitative research methods and acquired research and work experience; students participating in competitions were awarded cash prizes, their works are presented for free on the website; research universities have created their own image videos; video-lectures of honored scientists have been created; some scientists have been trained free of charge to gain new skills and etc. all this is an effective and wide-ranging advertising of Georgian science, professors, research centers and universities. this, in turn, should have a long-term impact on the popularization of science among the wider population.