Who is this handbook - latitudesciences.ird.fr

Who is this handbook

for? This handbook offers

the essential information for setting up and running a science club, plus practical advice that each user can adapt to fit the situation.

This handbook caTers for any person who wishes to lead a science club (teachers, science educators, students, researchers, technicians), who have little or no experience in such an activity.

This handbook has been des igned espec ially to assist project initiators in the developing countries of Africa taking part in the programme Promotion de la Culture scientifique et technique run by the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) at the request of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Find our other guides for public understanding of science on the Web site: www.latitudesciences.ird.fr

seT up a sc ience club 29 Bring the club together31 Plan the project33 List the material means35 Fix the budget, raise funds37 Get informed, train yourself39 Set the rules 41 Step into action!43 Communicate45 Assess the project

choose your acT iv iT ies and Tools

48 Resources50 Activities 54 Forms of presentation

Contentsclubs and public undersTanding of science

7 Science and technology understanding

9 What is a science club?11 What is a science club for?13 1001 science clubs

The basics of The science club

17 A whole team19 Scientific method the core of the club21 A spirit of discovery A project in four key stages22 - the meeting23 - the project design24 - the activities25 - the public presentation

contents

Clubs and public understanding of science

definitions

Science and technology

understanding

7

What is it? It is all the scientific and technological knowledge acquired and used by a person, which enables him or her to understand the environment, act in everyday life and think about the major issues of the future.

Who for? Understanding of science and technology: a concern exclusively for the specialists?Not at all! The sciences and technology play a crucial role in our everyday lives (food, health, energy, communications). Understanding them so as to make better use of them is an issue for everybody!

How?

A wide variety of activities make science and technology accessible: exhibitions, film shows, lecture-discussions and… science clubs!

definitions

What is a science club?

Regular meetings of the same long-term volunteer subscribers:

• the participants: children, adults, students;

• one or two science club leaders: teachers, science educators, science students;

• one or two scientific sponsors: research scientists, engineers, doctors, technicians.

Together they put on activities and realize a project chosen from a wide range: experiments, technical construction, debates, reporting or even theatre. The club is a means to initiate people in science and technology. It is flexible, effective and particularly stimulating!

A attractive framework where participants explore a subject using the scientific method, aiming to understand it better and find answers to the issues it raises.

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definitions

What is a science

club for?1.1 Vous avez dit culture scientifique et technique ? 1.4 Mille et un clubs scientifiques

2.1 Toute une équipe2.2 La démarche scientifique 2.4 la rencontre

2.4 la restitution

2.3 Un esprit de découverte

3.6 Fixer les règles du jeu

3.3 Inventorier les moyens matériels 3.4 Établir le budget, réunir les financements

3.8 Communiquer

3.1 Réunir le club, lancer le projet

3.7 Action !

3.2 Planifier le projet

3.9 Faire le bilan

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2.4 les activités

4.2 Des activités4.1 Des ressources

2.4 L'élaboration du projet

1.3 Un club scientifique, pour quoi faire ?

Scientific and technological knowledge is complex and constantly evolving. And often remains inaccessible for most people.

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A club can help improve access by:

• leading people to discover science and technology;

• giving initiation in the scientific process, its methods and tools;

• stimulating curiosity and a keenness to understand;

• compiling information on a subject, examining problems around a theme;

• holding discussions on science and technology, the issues at stake.

But also by promoting team work, the idea of accomplishing a common project, sharing knowledge and doing things for the community.

It’s achieving together what you cannot do alone!

definitions

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1001 science clubs

The participants, come together on their own initiative or called upon to take part, whatever their age, level of education, occupation, interests and motives.

The context: school, association, cultural institution, research centre, public or private organization.

The themes and projects: for example, an experiment conducted the way research scientists do (on water salinity, air pollution), in-depth study of a subject (the solar system, teenage health), making a machine or object (solar oven, robot) etc.

A club is an educational tool, a source of creativity, highly adaptable to:

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definitions

The club team builds its project around a unifying subject, in close

consultation with one or more scientific sponsors. There are usually

four key stages. By definition, the scientific method is at the heart of

the activities.

The basics of the science club

the basics

A whole team

17

The club members Children, adults, students, beginners or keen amateurs, they devise and run a common project.

One or two science club leaders Science educators, teachers, students, researchers, volunteers, they take charge of the club administration (safety, finances, obtaining permissions), manage the activities and coordinate relations within the club and with external partners.

One or two scientific sponsors Research scientists, engineers, doctors, technicians, students, they provide their knowledge, scientific tools and methods, give advice on running the project, their scientific validation and ethical approval.

To work well, the club must involve various different contributors, all voluntary.

the basics

Scientific method the

core of the club

To launch themselves into learning scientific processes members should:

• sharpen their curiosity, ask themselves questions;

• find references, check information;• observe, describe, compare, classify;• experiment, run enquiries, build theories;• analyse, summarize, discuss, make

conclusions;• arouse their critical approach and

practise debate.

It also entails giving themselves the means to approach a subject in a reasoned, objective way and to acquire the autonomy to build up their body of knowledge and carry through a project.

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The scientific method is a means to gain a grasp of the world around us. It is founded on a logical, rigorous approach to build up and test knowledge.

the basics

A spirit of discovery

21

Experimental investigation to understand a phenomenon, test a hypothesis.

Technical construction such as a model or a machine, to study a mechanism, answer a need.

Field survey to assess a situation, opinions, behaviour.

This hands-on opportunity for discovery is a fun yet concrete way to introduce people to science and technology.

Clubs offer three main types of scientific investigation. These embrace a wide array of activities and can be combined.

the basics



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A project in four key stages

The participants usually do not know each other at the time the club is formed. Their meeting is an important moment for generating conviviality and trusting relationships on which to base the smooth running of the activities. New recruits always keep the life of the club moving!

Important:

• identify common interests which can unify the group;

• consider everyone’s personality and competences;

• favour everyone’s integration in the group.

Stage 1 = the meeting

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Each person, within the team, must be rallied round to define the subject, the content, the major phases and the objectives of the project. A time to be bold and creative!

Recommendations:

• Guarantee that the project is feasible (scientific relevance, resources available, time-scales);

• Make sure everyone fully supports the project and will contribute to it;

• Allow everyone to take responsibility.

Stage 2 = the project design 1, 2, 3, Go!

the basics

A project can arise through personal

initiative or from an application

prompted by a call for projects, a

competition (Olympiad competitions,

prizes), a cultural event (open days,

science festival), which can give

direction to the project’s theme and

form. For all cases, you will need a

well-argued presentation file in order

to convince your partners!



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The project must be built on a coherent programme of selected activities, whatever the type of action (experimentation, construction, newsletter writing, organizing an exhibition), depending on the participants and the established objectives.

Making participants take a practical role in the activities gives them confidence, arouses their thirst for understanding and encourages them to take responsibility.

Stage 3 = the activities

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Present the project to the public encourage sharing of the knowledge acquired. This indispensable stage can even be the final target of the project or can announce its successful completion. Real satisfaction to be had!

To do this:

• choose a form of outreach presentation appropriate for and accessible to the target public (lecture, exhibition, show);

• ask the scientific sponsor to validate the information before any public presentation;

• organize an event or take part in an existing one (science festival, youth week, open days);

• mobilize the public, invite the partners and bring together the whole team on D-Day.

It’s the opportunity to become known and swap experiences in a convivial setting!

Stage 4 = the final presentation

the basics

The group must be dynamic to carry through the project successfully. The

idea is to create a stimulating context where individual members, in strong

interaction with the team, get fully involved in the activities to satisfy both their

own and the club’s interests.

Set up a science club

setting up

Bring the club

together



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4.2 Des activités


4.1 Des ressources


A club for all…

• Who is the club aimed for? Young people, adults.

• How can we recruit members? Posters, word-of-mouth, announcement by head-teachers of schools.

• How many? The ideal number is between 10 and 15 to keep the club active and effectively run the project.

• How can we ensure their commitment? Membership card, signature of a member’s charter, taking on responsibility.

• By the way, what’s the club called? Find an appealing name.

… and all for the club!

Together, opt for an attractive subject, which favours concrete questions drawn from everyday life and which afterwards can be studied in more detail by raising more complex questions.

Be innovative!

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Asking a number of questions will enable you to form a united group and build a project that will successfully hold its course:

setting up

Legal status

Giving the club proper legal

status (as an association) will

simplify many administrative

tasks!

Write a club regulations

document, take out insurance,

open a club bank account, elect

a committee of officers and

organize meetings: all this will

help you in the management of

the club.

1.1 Vous avez dit culture scientifique et technique ?1.4 Mille et un clubs scientifiques

2.1 Toute une équipe2.2 La démarche scientifique2.4 la rencontre

2.4 la restitution



3.3 Inventorier les moyens matériels3.4 Établir le budget, réunir les financements

3.8 Communiquer


3.7 Action !


3.9 Faire le bilan

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2.4 les activités

4.2 Des activités


4.1 Des ressources


Plan the project

Determine an overall schedule according to:

• the duration of the project: allow one year to bring a project to fruition, taking school holidays into account to ensure that everyone can be present;

• the frequency of the meetings: weekly for the younger public, bimonthly or more flexible for adults;

• the phases of activity (documentation, experiments, analysis);

• the key dates (meet the partners, consultation with the experts, reply to competitions, public presentation).

Adapt this programme as the project progresses!

Make a strategic plan for each session:

• define the nature of the activity, the objective, duration, the method, the equipment;

• alternate different activities to keep the meetings lively;

• make sure of the time allotted to the activities: allow two hours for manual operations, a summary or a debate, one day for an excursion or a field survey;

• keep a written record of activities in a log book.

To organize the project, give a rhythm to its progress and help everyone find his place:

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setting up

List the

material means

The material

List your needs for the whole duration of the project:

• office stationery (paper, pens);

• hand tools and materials (hammer, nails);

• salvaged materials (boxes, cardboard);

• technical tools and scientific instruments (microscope).

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The premises

Choose a place with easy access for all, suitable for meetings, with storage space for materials, sufficient surface area, well equipped (water, electricity, shelving), comfortable and safe.

setting up

Supporting partners needed

Rallying round partners

(educational establishment,

laboratory, town hall) and you

will smooth the way to making

rooms available, the loan or

donation of special costly

equipment.



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Fix the budget,

raise funds

Income

Favour co-funding:

• by requiring club members to pay a subscription;

• by replying to calls for projects, taking part in prize competitions or applying for grants from foundations, public institutions, international organizations;

• by grouping together financial support packages (patronage, sponsorship), obtained from cultural organizations, NGOs or companies, which may or may not ask for something in return.

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Expenditure

Itemize all expenditure related to the project:

purchase or rental of equipment, documentation costs (e.g. connection to Internet), travel (field excursion, museum visit) and communication (printing, radio advertisements), contributors’ expenses, insurance and taxes. And make sure the expenditure is balanced with the income!

setting up

Voluntary work:

In the budget evaluating

the proportion of work

assured by volunteers shows

funding agencies the team’s

commitment to successfully

carrying the project through.

Get informed,

train yourself

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Consult reliable up-to-date scientific references (encyclopaedias, publications) accessible in libraries, on the Web or from your scientific sponsor.

Obtain educational guidance sheets and investigate learning techniques further by consulting education specialists to introduce the younger age-groups to complex scientific concepts.

Join a network so you can profit from the resources and experience of other clubs!

Centralize your documentation, write your activity sheets – and create your own resource centre.

To update your knowledge, improve your practices, find ideas:

setting up

Set the rules

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From supervision… For the youngest members, the science club leader must be an adult who bears the administrative responsibility for the club and organizes the activities. Nevertheless, his role is to encourage members to take responsibility and develop autonomy in running the project.

To a collegial approach In clubs for students and adults, each member can get involved in managing the activities. It is therefore advisable to elect a committee of officers each having equal powers, and to get together in general meetings to vote on decisions.

setting up

For the club to run well, it is

strongly advised to agree on

common rules (punctuality,

mutual respect, care and

putting-away of equipment).

Have fun while keeping

organized with a rigorous

approach is also an essential

rule!

Common accord

Step into action!



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For activities to run smoothly:

• determine the prerequisites for understanding the concepts or tech-niques dealt with;

• make the activities’ objective and recommendations quite clear;

• allocate the various tasks evenly;

• keep all information, tools and methods available;

• encourage everyone’s imagination, bring out the value of their skills, guide them but without doing things for them;

• give each participant the time to ask himself questions and explain his reasoning to guarantee that people really take in the knowledge;

• conduct an overview after each stage and move on to the next;

• stay attentive to what others have to say, keep the project on target;

• get the scientific sponsor to check the results.

Ask the scientific sponsor to talk about his profession during key sessions, lead an activity and/or check the content of the project. Call on other experts to take part: such as journalists, stage managers.

setting up

It takes perseverance to learn

the scientific process!

If a construction falls down,

if an operation doesn’t

work or a hypothesis is not

validated, it’s not the end of

the project! Feeling your way,

asking yourself questions and

starting again are part band

parcel of the scientific process.

Analysing you ‘error’ can yield

valuable information. Ask

questions about each stage of

the project and seek a solution

together.

Failure or new stimulation?



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Communicate



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Run a whole range of communication actions!

External relations:

• to keep the partners informed about the project’s progress (through correspondence, newsletters for instance)

• to make sure the club becomes well known- by giving it an eye-catching name,

a logo or a label (UNESCO Clubs, Wildlife clubs);

- by launching a Web site, a blog;- by taking part in seminars or

presenting your activities;

• to guarantee a large audience for the public presentation of your project (posters, invitations, leaflets, radio publicity).

Within the club to forge sound relations between the participants, the scientific sponsor and the steering committee (meetings, correspondence, review reports).

setting up

Caution

Communication activities

demand considerable time

and money, so you should

build them into the schedule

and the budget.



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Assess the project

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Who for? Why?

• For the club leaders: To improve their practices.

• For the participants: To assess their learning progress.

• For the partners, the funding agencies: To report on the success of the project.

When’s the best moment?

• At key stages: to examine the progress of the operation and adapt if necessary.

• At the end of the project: to identify the objectives achieved and any that have not been fulfilled.

How can we do it?

• Define what you want to assess: the realization of a popularization programme, the members’ support for the club, the knowledge acquired.

• List the strengths and weaknesses: their causes and their consequences.

• Ask the advice of the team and people from outside about specific points to supplement the assessment.

• Finally, highlight the results of the club in a communication document.

A check that the project is meeting its objectives!

setting up

Many resources and activities can combine to build up a club’s project.

Choose the relevant ones for the occasion, taking account of advantages and

drawbacks, without forgetting the group’s interests and competences. Plan the

form the public presentation of the project will take right from the design stage.

Choose your activities and tools

activities and tools

WhaT? hoW? WhaT advanTages? cauTion

ExpErts • The club meets a researcher, a doctor, or a technician.

• Possible to go into the subject dealt with in more depth.

• Benefit from expert consultation which will orientate and validate the project.

• Discover a profession and its practices.

• Contact the contributing expert well in advance.

• Ease dialogue by preparing some relevant questions.

• Ask experts to clarify their explanations if they are too complicated.

rEfErEncE documEnts

• The club gathers information on its subject from scientific publications, press articles, films, photos, maps, etc., available from Internet, reference libraries, an expert or transmitted by the scientific sponsor.

• Adds more depth to the subject.

• Adds substance to the activities by bringing in up-to-date detail.

• Use diverse sources and examine information critically.

• Identify the suitable reference documents.

• Do a summary document of the information, with bibliography.

Resources


sitEs • The club visits a research laboratory, technology centre, museum, or exhibition.

• Discover sciences in action or their advances.

• Ask scientists to talk about their profession.

• Find sources of inspiration for your project.

• Prepare the visit with a representative from the site.

• Make sure there is a guide to give a commentary.

• Find out about safety and site protection advice.

sciEncE chEsts

• A science chest contains objects for doing demonstrations, plus instruments, equipment, games, educational documents for a range of activities to introduce members to a given subject (human body, climate change).

• The chest is designed by education professionals and offers activities tailor-made for young people, with ways of explaining scientific notions while they have fun.

• Train yourself in the use of the chest.

• Read the instructions sheets to prepare the activities.

• Add extra materials to the chest (sand, paper).

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obsErvation • The participants observe an object, landscape, district, or a phenomenon, or handle a sample of material, operate a machine. They can describe them orally, in written form, with a diagram or a photo, then compare their points of view.

• To learn how to look, ask questions and analyse.

• Exercise in making an objective statement.

• Practice in supporting scientific argument.

• Select safe objects − original, familiar or complex − inspiring the use of the scientific method.

• Make sure everyone has a go.

Activities


matErial and EquipmEnt handling

• Participants collect and analyse data using instruments for observation (magnifying glass, telescope), or measurement (scales, voltmeter) and technical equipment (Petri dishes, tweezers).

• Teaches how to choose suitable equipment.

• Training in use of precision instruments.

• Introduction to the rigorous technical approach.

• The way to plan and run an operation from A to Z.

• Always test the equipment’s good working order.

• Know exactly how to use the equipment to explain to others.

• Insist on safety rules in the use of sensitive and dangerous equipment.

ExpErimEnts • Participants conduct a reproducible test to check a hypothesis, by controlling the parameters.

• Introduces members to experimental rigour.

• Practice in formulating a hypothesis and designing a protocol to test it.

• Shows experimental proof backs up scientific argument.

• Provide enough of the right equipment.

• Ensure safety at all times.• Analyse results together, especially

unexpected ones!• Ask the scientific sponsor to check

protocol and interpretation of results.

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survEys • The club formulates a survey questionnaire, identifies a target sample of people or gathers data to examine.

• Designing and/or applying a survey protocol.

• Teaches to formulate questions that will prompt answers giving precise interpretable information.

• Brings reliable data for sound argument.

• Get the scientific sponsor to check the survey protocol and interpretation of results.

• Ensure the anticipated resources are accessible.

• Decide the questioning approach according to people’s availability and consent (correspondence, interviews).

• Clearly and concisely explain the survey subject to the persons interviewed.


fiEld Excursion

• The club goes out to a site to make observations and measurements, take samples or conduct an experiment.

• Compare the theoretical information with the real situation in the field.

• Stimulates curiosity and encourages observation through discovery of unknown terrain.

• Ask an expert to guide the club and initiate members in field work.

• Prepare the trip: reconnaissance, equipment, weather conditions.

• Depending on the participants’ age, arrange for enough outing mediators; announce rules for safety and site protection.


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lEcturEs • One or more club members give a talk on the project, in sufficient depth but with a popularized style, aided by images (diagrams, photos, films). The audience can then ask questions.

• Easy and inexpensive to organize.

• Suitable for reaching the general public.

• Arouses debate and favours dialogue.

• Make sure of the speakers’ lecturing abilities.

• Practise the lecture with strict timing and accurate audiovisual coordination.

• Provide a good public address system for the lecture and discussion.

Forms of presentation


Exhibitions• The club makes posters carrying

text and illustrations, possibly also with selected display objects positioned along a set visit circuit.

• Suitable for the general public. Visitors learn on their own or guided by a science educator.

• Classify essential information in order of importance.

• Take care of graphics and choice of illustrations to favour panel readability.

• Do a reconnaissance of the venue before setting up the exhibition.

• Train yourself in the presentation of the exhibition.

IntEractivE display

• On a stand, members encourage the public to operate equipment, make observations or make small objects that they have designed to illustrate scientific concepts and/or their project’s procedure.

• Hands-on activities stimulate visitors’ curiosity, helping them understand better the issues involved in the subject.

• Choose exciting operations, easy to do. Create several independent but complementary modules and devise a scenario.

• Practise presentation of the interactive activities.

• Provide enough solid, safe equipment.

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publications • The club can publish a newsletter, comic strip, guide, slideshow, or Web page, to describe its studies, tell the story of a discovery or the life of a researcher, or open the discussion on the issues linked to a theme.

• Producing a written report is an integral part of scientists’ work.

• Develop journalistic skills (summarizing, making information accessible and interesting, opening up discussion).

• Base content on the club’s log book.

• Programme writing sessions with the assistance of a professional (journalist, writer, teacher).

• Achieve a good balance between text and pictures.

• Determine a distribution plan (support and frequency).


shows • Participants can portray the subject of their study, a discovery, a famous scientist’s life, or a controversy, in theatrical form, as a narrated story, sketch or play. A discussion at the end of a play allows the audience to dialogue with the club and scientists.

• The actors’ interplay enables the public to see the issues at work in sciences.

• Particularly appreciated by young people.

• Allow several months for setting up the show.

• Write the scenario with the help of a theatre professional.

• See to it that everyone takes part according to his wishes and skills (as author, actor).

vidEos • The club makes a documentary film, fictional story, docu-fiction or journalistic report to show its activities, a discovery or the work of a research scientist.

• Moving pictures attract young and old.

• Both documentary and fiction formats can show the sciences in action.

• A journalistic report can give a stage-by-stage history of the project venture.

• Audiovisual productions are very costly and require the involvement of professionals. They cannot be created without preparation and the scenario must be well thought out.

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Personal notes

This guide was produced in 2009 by the Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) in partnership with the association Planète Sciences as part of programme FSP 2003-25 Promotion de la culture scientifique et technique of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Information : www.latitudesciences.ird.fr Contact : [email protected]

Conception : Marie-Ève Migueres, Raphaële Nisin, Marie-Lise Sabrié Secteur Culture scientifique – DIC – IRD Clémence Nioche – association Sterne

Consultants : Maurice Fay – IRD; Valérie Collin, Anne Lejeune – association Planète Sciences; Édouard Razzano, Frédérique Tabuteau – association Sterne

Graphic design : Caribara CommunicationIllustrations : Marie-Pier Muller after original graphics

by Marion Dubois

Translation : Nicholas Flay

T h e F r e n c h p r o g r a m m e P r o m o t i o n d e l a c u l t u r e s c i e n t i f i q u e e t t e c h n i q u e

w w w . l a t i t u d e s c i e n c e s . i r d . f r

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