Dissemination of the research towards youth: two activities of Exploratori

Abstract

It is well known that universities and researchers have a duty towards the society: the dissemination and exploitation of their research.

The EXPLORATORI of natural resources (EXPLORATORI), a project of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) aims to encourage science and technology among young people, through their teachers and young people themselves. In order to achieve this goal, EXPLORATORI organizes several activities for 23 years to engage youth in science using the methodology of learning by doing.

The main objective of the EXPLORATORI project of UPC is to contribute to: • Engage secondary school teachers and students in science and technology, in order to promote STEM vocations. • Match supply and demand for qualified workers with STEM skills. • Strengthen links between research and education.

In this sense EXPLORATORI organizes two activities with the aim to make know, the research at the univeristy:

- Knowledge Fair: It is a two-day Science Communication Event (7 editions). The specific objective is to introduce the most recent science and technology research projects held in UPC universities (9 research groups), to young people (High School). Each research group is represented by two PhD students. The close age between them allow providing participants with an enriching exchange of their academic experiences.

- Catalonia Young Talent FORUM: The objective is to reward the best 40 students (15 and 16 years old) and promote science and technology interest among secondary young students (2 editions). The central topic is different in each edition and prominent figures and scientist had participated.

In this presentation, the results of these two experiences will be related with several studies about the dissemination of the research towards young people, and the impact in their learning and education.