Faciliator: Maria Hagardt
Sarah-Beth Bradley Cell Explorers, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Emily Plant Cell Explorers, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Megan Depinna Foroige, Silke Kleefeld Cell Explorers, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Kristin Anderson Cell Explorers, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Sarah Carroll President’s office, Atlantic Technological University and Muriel Grenon Cell Explorers, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway
Inspiring the Next Generation: Science Club Training for Youth Workers
The Cell Explorers Science Club is a six-week program co-developed with the youth work sector to enhance children’s confidence, autonomy, and science capital while aligning with youth work principles. Through hands-on STEM activities, including guided experiments and reflective tasks, the initiative fosters scientific engagement among young participants, particularly those from underserved communities. By training youth workers through a structured “train-the-trainer” model, the program ensures sustainable and equitable access to informal science education. This talk highlights the development, implementation, and impact of the initiative, demonstrating how it empowers youth workers and broadens STEM participation. The presentation will share strategies for effective training, practical insights, and evidence of its positive influence on youth worker confidence and children’s STEM engagement.
Georgia Mitrousia, Rothamsted Research
From Lab to Land: Engaging farmers to strengthen science-society communication
Guided by the theme “Crossing Oceans – Raising Our Sails,” this talk explores how engaging farmers as key stakeholders can bridge the gap between science and society. Farmers are crucial in tackling global challenges like food security and sustainability, offering valuable real-world insights that enhance scientific impact. Through collaborative initiatives such as knowledge exchange and interactive demonstrations, the session highlights how partnerships with farmers transcend cultural, geographic, and disciplinary boundaries. Attendees will gain strategies for fostering dialogue, integrating diverse audiences into public engagement, and strengthening science communication to address critical issues like climate change and food security.
Isaak Vandermaesen, Scivil, the knowledge center for citizen science in Flanders and Karen Verstraelen, amai!
Amai! – To be All Intelligent! Engaging Societal Networks for Inclusive AI Awareness & Education.
The amai! Project empowers citizens, especially low-literate adults in Flanders, to engage with AI through a participatory approach. Collaborating with educators, organizations, and AI experts creates accessible learning materials via workshops and focus groups. To date, 100+ educators and volunteers have been equipped with AI teaching tools. At the same time, challenges like equitable access and sustained engagement remain, amai! Provides a replicable model for inclusive AI education. This talk will showcase its methods, impact, and lessons in making AI more accessible
Andrea Ruffing, CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security
Engaging heterogeneous teams with gamification and storytelling in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity can be complex and intimidating, especially for young and diverse audiences with no prior knowledge. At CISPA Cysec Lab, we use storytelling and gamification to break down content into engaging, digestible experiences, making learning both accessible and enjoyable. Through challenges, escape rooms, puzzles, and hands-on activities, participants collaborate, compete, and apply their strengths toward solving cybersecurity problems. More advanced learners can engage in progressively complex games, fostering skill development and deeper interest. This talk will showcase our interactive approach, highlight best practices, and explore strategies for engaging heterogeneous groups in cybersecurity education while addressing common challenges and stereotypes.
Ana Marta Capaz
| @estereotáxico: Bringing Science to Underserved Audiences on Social Media |
@estereotáxico is an Instagram-based initiative tackling the lack of accessible scientific information for Portuguese-speaking communities. By blending personal storytelling and culturally relevant content, it combats misinformation and offers insights into academic careers. Targeting PhD candidates and university students, the project makes science relatable and navigable. This talk explores how localized, small-scale efforts can bridge linguistic and cultural gaps in science communication, empowering underserved audiences and aligning with the conference’s theme of addressing global challenges locally.