The University of Iceland (UI) organised a series of science communication training workshops for science communicators and teachers from the 20th to the 23rd of March. The workshops were held as part of the “BaltNord network for science communication” project. All four project partners took part in it: The University of Iceland (UI) from Iceland, Science Cetre AHHA Foundation (AHHAA) from Estonia, Siualiai University (SU) from Lithuania and Daugavpils University (DU) from Latvia, as well as lecturers, teachers and students from Iceland.
The first two days of the event were dedicated to science communication training during which both theoretical and practical activities were held. Participants had an opportunity to explore the main theories of Science Communication and see examples of hands-on activities and methods to be used in schools or science communication events. All project partners provided workshops with demonstrations and hands-on activities involving all participants in active group work on the subjects of chemistry, physics, biology and technology. All the workshops were recorded on video with an aim to provide good quality video materials on science communication for public use.
For the latter two days, participants got the opportunity to enrich their experience with:
- a visit to the Univeristy of Iceland Science Centre (UniSci) where they were introduced to the Box of Light and other tools and activities for outreach purposes
- a visit to labs and other premises of UI
- a workshop on media and public relations
- workshops on science communication for kindergartens and schoolgroups, and the “Heaven and Earth” workshop covering astronomy and geology
- a scientific excursion to interesting geological places
The event ended with a discussion on the project progression, plans for the next stages and further collaboration.
During these events all partners shared their experience and knowledge, discussed topical issues of this sphere and exchanged new ideas. There was consent that both training and workshops were and continue to be a valuable source of inspiration for new plans in science communication field.
The next science communication event within the project is planned for the 27th of April in Daugavpils University, Latvia. The partners will come together for organization and evaluation of a researcher's competition which is designed similarly to the FameLab competition.