SciChallenge: Using Student-Generated Content and Contests to Enhance the Interest for Science Education and Careers

Science education will play a vital role in shaping the present and future of modern societies. Thus, Europe needs all its talents to increase creativity and competitiveness. Young boys and girls especially have to be engaged to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). However, statistics still show that enrolment rates in STEM-based degree programs are decreasing. This will lead to a workforce problem in the industrial sector as well as in research and development, especially in many of the new member countries. This paper highlights a recently funded EU-research project SciChallenge (www.scichallenge.eu), which focuses on the development of novel concepts to get young people excited about science education. It uses a contest-based approach towards self-produced digital education materials from young people for young people. In cooperation with partner schools, teachers, and other youth-oriented institutions, the contest participants (individuals or groups) between the ages of 10 and 20 years generate creative digital materials (videos, slides, or infographics). The participants upload their content in social media channels and the submissions are aggregated on the SciChallenge Web Platform. The winners receive prizes funded by science-oriented industry and other stakeholders. Intelligent cross-sectoral positioning of various awareness modules on the SciChallenge Open Information Hub is expected to increase awareness on science careers. Through a strong involvement of related organizations and industries, we expect to open new opportunities for young people in regards to internships or taster days in STEM disciplines. Additionally, aggregated information on science events (such as, slams, nights, festivals) is shared. With this multi-level approach, SciChallenge may boost the attractiveness of science education and careers among young people. It is expected to improve the public engagement in science, economic prosperity and global competitiveness on a panEuropean level.