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Project

Interdisciplinary network for science education (INSE) Lower Austria – joint efforts to sustainably raise scientific literacy

Austrian citizens have a lower interest in science and are less likely to belief in the benefits of science and technology than the average EU citizen. Limited trust and interest in science are closely linked to a lack of knowledge of the research process and scientifically generated data. Projects and networks at the interface of science and education provide an excellent opportunity to raise scientific literacy and influence the attitude towards scientific findings positively. Thus,

  1. scientists from natural, pedagogical, and social disciplines (WasserCluster Lunz, Austrian Educational Competence Center Biology, University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria),
  2. partner schools (BORG Wr. Neustadt, VS and MS Lunz),
  3. the Haus der Wildnis Lunz (location for extracurricular education), and
  4. an administrative authority (NÖ Bildungsregion 3)

teamed up to form the partnership “Interdisciplinary network for science education Lower Austria” (lead by WasserCluster Lunz, funded by GFF NÖ). Our partnership aims at

  • raising school students’ and the public’s understanding of science by demonstrating and involving them into the scientific process of different scientific disciplines,
  • increasing the interest in science by using innovative forms of science communication, and
  • strengthening the belief in the benefits of science by highlighting the contributions of science to existing and emerging societal and ecological challenges.

Innovative concepts for science education will be developed and tested in a pilot study, and the potential for the implementation of these approaches into school curricula will be discussed. Additionally, low-threshold offers for science education will be developed for the public. The pilot study will be evaluated by an accompanying socio-pedagogical study. INSE will continue to grow by the involvement of other (inter)national partners, such as, e.g., scientists from other disciplines, partner schools, and existing networks for science communication, and by developing joint (inter)national projects based on the results of the pilot study.

  • Project funded by: Gesellschaft für Forschungsförderung NÖ (GFF NÖ)
  • Call: FTI Partner Networks 2021
  • Project number: FTI21-P-001
  • Timeline: January 2023 - December 2025 (3 years)
  • Structure, work packages:
    • WP1: Establish and expand partnership network
    • WP2: Pilot study to develop innovative approaches to science education
    • WP3: Submission of 2 (inter-)national projects
    • WP4: Public relations & science communication
    • WP5: Project management