Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ERN18-19 SVK (Festival of Science European Researchers\' Night 2018 - 2019 in Slovakia)

Teaser

\"The ERN addresses several issues:• Insufficient appreciation of scientists and researchers among people; • lack of awareness about researchers´ work and its contribution to our everyday lives;• low interest of young people and students in science and lack of interest...

Summary

\"The ERN addresses several issues:
• Insufficient appreciation of scientists and researchers among people;
• lack of awareness about researchers´ work and its contribution to our everyday lives;
• low interest of young people and students in science and lack of interest in studying STEM majors;
The ERN showcases the scientific career as a real work that is meaningful fully accepted and appreciated by general public. The best way how to attract the audience of young people is active participation of researchers in popular-scientific discussions, lectures and other types of activities organized during the event. Only enthusiastic performance of researchers can captivate the audience and enhance their interest to choose a research career.
The project had several specific objectives which were achieved by concrete activities and programme:
• Increasing awareness of science and research and public recognition of researchers;
• Understanding of the impact of researchers\' work on citizen\'s daily life;
• Encouraging young people to embark on research career and stimulate their interest in science;
• European research as a platform for cooperation, future career and knowledge exchange;
Focusing on these goals, the ERN contributes to science popularisation in Slovakia and to narrowing the gap between researchers and citizens.
Regardless of age and scientific background the ERN:
• Directly and actively involve both researchers and audience;
• Combines entertainment and \"\"education to science through researchers\"\" in a balanced way;
• Contributes to enhancing public recognition and appraisal of researchers and their work.
\"

Work performed

Work performed within WP 5 – Awareness Campaing:
The central theme for 2019: “Life as we do (not) know it”.
Unique graphic design of this year´s promotional material was created - posters of various formats, programme brochure, info panels, LCD spots, displayed in cooperation with municipalities, universities, regional self-governing regions and shopping malls, promotional gadgets such as T-shirts and stickers for scientists and festival\'s fans.
The press releases, regionally modulated, were published in national and regional media the days prior to the event and promotional spots and announcements via national radios and shopping mall’s radios were aired. The interviews on radio and in TV shows also took place in order to promote the event among broad public. Articles in national and regional outlets, interviews in newspapers and magazines were also published, e.g. in print media (SME, PC REVUE, QUARK).
Invitations via direct mailing were sent to municipalities, regional governments, universities, schools, media, regional media, academic partners, partners among private companies etc…
4 competitions for different age groups took place and many different small quizzes.
Online campaign was vital for attracting young people. About 1.7 million people were made aware of the European Researchers\' Night and its objectives.

Work performed within WP 6 - Activities during the NIGHT
Venues:
• Banská Bystrica: Europa Shopping Center;
• Bratislava: Old Market Hall, Main square, V-club in the City House of Art, LAB.cafe, Kunsthalle;
• Košice: Atrium Optima Shopping Centre;
• Poprad: MAX Shopping Center;
• Žilina: Mirage Shopping Center;
• Medzev Observatory;
• Levice – Tekov Observatory;
• Museum of Special Education in Levoča;
• NERD NITE in Bratislava;
• Elektrárňa Piešťany (follow up event).

The ERN 2019 in numbers:
• 239 scientific stands in all 5 cities;
• 48 lectures, international guests – Mary Ellen Weber and Tanmay Bakshi;
• 4 discussions;
• 1 exhibition;
• 4 workshops;
• 4 competitions (1 photo/ video competition via Facebook, drawing competition, deciphering competition, check-in competition which took place at the event venues), quizzes;
• 1 laser show;
• Active involvement of 1 486 researchers, amongst whom:
o 7 having benefitted from MSCA schemes;
• Participation of more than 175.000 visitors, of which 70.000 were pupils and students.
During the event science show, hands-on experiments, demonstrations, interactive activities were prepared for visitors. In the Old Market Hall in Bratislava.
A follow-up event was held in Elektrárňa Piešťany in November – one-day event in a renovated building of a former power plant in Piešťany for primary school students.

Work performed within WP 7 - Impact Assessment
Collection, analysis and processing of 631 feedbacks, based on 2 separate surveys respectively addressing „Visitors“, and „Researchers“, with common and specific questions. Main conclusions from the Impact Assessment are available in the report on the Impact Assessment (deliverable 7).

Work performed within WP 8 – Management
The management of the ERN was crucial for successful and timely delivery of the project. Overall administrative and financial was in place in order to achieve proposed goals and stick to the project proposal. Special attention was paid to risk mitigation which proved to be fruitful.

Final results

The ERN 2019 was successfully organized on the last Friday of September. The programme aimed at fulfilling proposed goals. Awareness campaign via social and print media reached to all target groups and broad public. The participation of researchers as well as visitors proves the stability and popularity of the event with high willingness of visitors and researchers to take part in next year´s event (more than 70 % visitors, more than 80 % researchers) shows overall satisfaction with all aspects of both events. The approach to young people and students was significant and this target group was provided with varied activities and programme sparking their interest in science and innovation.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.nocvyskumnikov.sk.