New Perspectives in Science Education
Rendezvous with your dream job – orientation week at the European Academy EURAC Bolzano
Uta Fritsch, EURAC European Academy Bolzano, Science Communication (Italy)
Karin Amor, EURAC (Italy)
Matthias Mühlberger, EURAC (Italy)
Francesca Taponecco, EURAC research (Italy)
Sabrina Zung, EURAC reserach (Italy)
Abstract
EURAC junior is an interface between schools and science of the different research institutes at the interdisciplinary centre European Academy EURAC in Bolzano. Due to the growing demand for training opportunities for high school students, EURAC provides orientation weeks to show different future job options in science at a glance.
During the week, the high school students participate in five different workshops that reflect the research topics of different institutes, consisting of presentations, hands-on activities and learning games. Regarding the fact that knowledge generation is strongly connected to personal experience we are aiming at a genuine setting: at least one expert of the respective institute is present along with skilled facilitators, who present jointly the study objective. The material used in the workshop is authentic, of high quality and its application asks for a high level of individual responsibility of the students during the activities, stimulating the spirit of research.
Besides the main workshops, side events help to complete the picture of a scientists working atmosphere. A key element is a semiformal meeting between students and the participating experts organized as a speed networking. Students get the opportunity to meet a selection of three during a lunch and get answers to their prepared questions.
The presentation will give insights to different workshop elements and the methods of designing an intensive orientation week for school students at a research institute.
