The International conference ‘Motivate and Attract Students to Science’ took place in Science Centre NEMO in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on November 25-27th 2014. It brought together about 100 experts in the field of education, teaching, training, and applied science from 8 European partner countries.

Aim of the conference was to share best practices of science education with the focus on sustainable development; examine preconditions to motivate and attract students to science and explore (new) tools and methodologies and build a network of teachers, educators, trainers and scientists. 

Invitation

Flyer about MASS Open Conference

Conference agenda

Conference materials

DAY 1 – Tuesday November 25th

Registration participants & welcome reception (including content related activity) 

DAY 2 – Wednesday November 26th 

Introduction into MASS Project
By Bára Semeráková, coordinator MASS project, TEREZA (.pdf) 

Plenary presentation
Edutainment versus Playful Learning: New ways to promote interest in science.

By Alexandra Hroncova, Head of External and Marketing Communication & PR, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague. (.pdf) 

Parallel sessions: assessing best practices per working group: 

1) Digital Learning

Introduction by Bregje van den Brand, SME Advies (.pdf) 

• EduGIS by Elżbieta Wołoszyńska-Wiśniewska, UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre (.pdf)
• EnvKids by Thaleia Mavrakou, University of Athens (.pdf)
• Ippodamus by Thaleia Mavrakou, University of Athens (.pdf)
• iSPEX by Frans Snik, University of Leiden (YouTube video)

 2) Early Inquiry

Introduction (.pdf) and notes (.pdf) by Lenka Kleger, TEREZA 

• weSPOT by Ellen Rusman/Fleur Prinsen, weSPOT (.pdf)
• Badatele by Lenka Kleger, TEREZA (.pdf)
• The White by Daiga Kalnina, Children's Environmental School (.pdf)
• Nature Calender by Hanna Tijbosch, SME Advies (.pdf)
• Ecological Pyramids by Eleni Ioannidou, CYCERE (.pdf)

3) Low achievers in science

Introduction (.pdf) and notes (.pdf) by Inese Liepina, Children's Environmental School 

• Flora – decision on the new road by Chrisis Kleovoulou, CYCERE
  Studying the food relations of living organism by Chrisis Kleovoulou, CYCERE
  Gigantic Seaweed along the Coast by Chrisis Kleovoulou, CYCERE (.pdf)
• CO2nnect by Thalia Mavrakou, University of Athens (.pdf)

Conclusions of the day
By Constantinos Cartalis, University of Athens (.pdf)

DAY 3 – Thursday November 27th   

Plenary introduction development phase MASS Project
By Bára Semeráková, coordinator MASS project, TEREZA (.pdf)   

Parallel sessions (brainstorm development and pilot phase)

1) Digital Learning
Notes by Bregje van den Brand (.pdf)

2) Early Inquiry
Introduction by Lenka Kleger and Bára Semeráková (.pdf)

3) Low achievers in science
Notes by Inese Liepina (.pdf)

Plenary presentation
Science education in NEMO, Expand your world!
By Marjolein van Breemen, Manager Science Learning Centre NEMO/ Head of Education (.pdf) 

Parallel sessions (discussion about pilot development phase and implementation from perspective of different target groups)

1) Teachers
Notes by Inese Liepina, Children's Environmental School (.pdf)

2) Trainers and Applied scientists
Introduction (.pdf) and notes (.pdf) by Elżbieta Wołoszyńska-Wiśniewska, UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre