BALTEX Phase II 2003 – 2012. Science Framework and ...

BALTEX Phase II Science Framework and Implementation Strategy 55
The time scale of impacts on society in areas which BALTEX is addressing may be in the order of
decades or beyond, and awareness in the public is particularly needed in the context of sustainability.
Reaching in particular the youth is thus seen as an important aspect. The BALTEX programme will
help to prepare school courses including practical laboratory experimental and theoretical lectures in
collaboration with teachers, who will specify the level of contents and presentation measures to adapt
to the experience level of the youth. Involvement in school programmes may serve as a multiplier for
the general public, as not only pupils themselves but also their parents will be reached by the
programme.
Current research topics of the BALTEX programme including up-to-date research questions and
results will be offered to existing pupil laboratories or pupil courses Activities in this field will have a
pilot character, in the sense that few specific schools will be contacted in order to establish an
education programme jointly with scientists and teachers. A collaboration with already existing
projects like “CarboSchools” (www.carboschools.org) and the NaT-Working project of the Leibnitz
Institute for Marine Research in Kiel, Germany (nat-meer.ifm-geomar.de), as well with ongoing
projects in all BALTEX countries is envisaged.
Awareness creation in the context of sustainability is only one aspect of reaching the youth. Another
one is creating interest, already at pupils’ age, in a later professional carrier as a researcher in the
scientific fields which BALTEX is addressing. Dedicated education and awareness creation is seen as
one measure to reverse the present general trend of decreasing numbers of students in particular in
geophysical sciences in many European countries in recent years. The organisation of “Open Days” in
research institutes involved in BALTEX research will be a further important activity to reach the
public.
6.5. Implementation of Education and Outreach
The specific activities under this section of the programme, necessary for improving the outreach of
BALTEX, are naturally diverse in their form and frequency of implementation. They need to be
implemented in such a way as to ensure coordination across the various scientific topics of the
programme and target sectors of the society to be addressed. Coordination of these activities is
envisaged to be assured through implementation of a specific BALTEX Working Group on Public
Relation. Nevertheless, to carry out all envisaged education and outreach activities, funding for the
scientific work together with these elements is indispensable.