New Perspectives in Science Education

The intersection points in the interaction of three state management systems, namely: cultural heritage – education – tourism in Bulgaria, has so far not been the subject of a complex study. Each of these systems is managed by state institutions that have a high degree of overlapping funding and responsibilities. This paper presents new research project entitled “Research of opportunities for the implementation and development of educational tourism in Bulgaria: Cultural heritage in support of formal education”, won in 2023 Competition for financial support of basic research projects, organized by the Bulgarian National Science Fund, part of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, Contract №  KP-06-N75/17 from 15.12.2023, led by Chief Assist. Sonya Spasova, PhD. The scientific methods expected results and goals of the project are presented. The set goals of the project proposal include, in addition to the study of international good practices and the analysis of published scientific studies on the subject, conducting field studies (surveys, interviews, photo-documentation of selected objects that directly correspond to school education and the development of tourism in Bulgaria), also publishing a monograph and a teaching aid. The object of research is educational tourism in Bulgaria. The subject of research are pre-selected sites of national cultural heritage as a potential for the development of educational tourism in the country, with the aim of increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of formal education in Bulgaria. It is envisaged that the selection of objects will be categorized into three historical eras: Antiquity, Middle Ages, Bulgarian Revival. The methods and approaches envisaged include: a survey of published literature on the subject; conducting field studies (surveys, interviews, photo, and video documentation), analyses and synthesis of regulatory documents.