Core Problem
The central issue was that school children, specifically aged between 9 to 12 years, had insufficient access to learning about the scientific method in an engaging manner, particularly in relation to climate change.
Hypothesis
Lack of understanding of the scientific method led children to have a negative attitude towards science.
Goal
We planned to develop a new interactive path for the City of Munich's environmental department in Olympiapark with the theme of "Climate Change in Urban Areas" by January 2020.
Method
Based on didactic/social science findings, knowledge about the scientific method was conveyed through interactive action in the form of an adventure trail. To arouse as much interest as possible and thus achieve a high level of participation, the then current topic of climate change in urban areas was chosen. The effectiveness of the discovery path was assessed by questions on the scientific method before and after the intervention. In order to investigate the attitude towards science, we used an already existing and validated questionnaire, which the test persons worked on before and after the intervention. In addition, subgroup analyses were planned, which were analysed in the context of the results of the 2018 Wissenschaftsbarometer. It was also possible that sample questions (before and after the intervention) were used to determine whether the test persons oriented their actions towards the state of scientific knowledge.
Prototype Bootcamp - Sep 6th and 7th 2019
In our bootcamp, we designed a concept for the adventure trail with seven stations and the overarching topic "climate change in urban areas."
Prototype Workshop @ Makerspace, TUM
- We had been awarded a makerspace scholarship for our prototype and devoted an afternoon to experimenting with potential product concepts.
- Our intention had been to create a forest adventure trail, the objective of which was to make scientific research more accessible to students in a fun and engaging manner.
Workshop at Bad Sachsa - Mar 30th to Apr 1st 2019
- Our objectives had been established in the previous workshop at Bad Tölz.
- We held a three-day workshop from the 30th of March to the 1st of April 2019 in the Harz mountains, commonly referred to as "Northern Germany" by Bavarians. The workshop took place in a central location within Germany.
- Our aim was to construct an engaging and entertaining science game designed specifically for children.
People
Team
- Beate Neu
- Nitish Nagesh
- Jessica Neusser
- Niklas Dreymann
- Johaina Kullab
Tutors
- Maximilian Bauer
- Kristina Schick
Supervisor
- Prof. Dr. Winfried Petry
For partnerships, ideas and suggestions, please feel free to get in touch with us at scienciety(at)ja.tum.de
