Good practices

Science Picnics

Working Group:Low Achievers in ScienceCountry:PolandLanguages:PolishAge of students (target group/s):6-12, 13-14, 15-18Links, resources:http://www.pikniknaukowy.pl/arty...

Science Picnic is the largest open-air event aimed at popularizing science in Europe. For 17 years science institutes, universities, student organizations and cultural institutions has been presenting their latest research, sharing knowledge and enthusiasm among the event participants. It is a cyclic event (it takes place every year) which attracts a growing group of science enthusiasts every year. On numerous shows, children, youth and adults can perform all sorts of experiments and see how theoretical knowledge can be useful in practice, in everyday life activities. These types of events are inspiring for young people who are encouraged the learning by science education.Strong points and opportunities:• New way in which schoolchildren can spend their free time;
• Good occasion for parents who are involved in picnic to motivate their children to science education (growing interest in the world among children and teenagers);
• Year by year, organizers ensure a large variety of stalls – each participant can find something interesting for him/her;
• Experiments are conducted on different levels of difficulty – independently from age of each participant, everybody can find something for him/her;Limitations:• Picnics are conducted by Copernicus Science Centre and year by year, it attract more and more participants. Therefore, a lot of science enthusiasts are going there – crowd and queues for the stalls discourage people to take part in the experiments.Added value with regards to the 3 topics of the MASS project:• Schoolchildren can know how to use a theoretical knowledge in practice;
• Growth of students' curiosity in the world cognition;
• Thanks to attending and conducting experiments based on experience, schoolchildren can recognize the world (teaching by research/ exploring);Any prerequisites needed:None