Ochota Campus Discovery Day – Science Popularization 4030-DOKO
This course focuses on developing students’ competencies in science communication, environmental education, and public engagement. It is based on active student participation in the Ochota Campus Discovery Day – a public outreach event organized by the University of Warsaw.
Students will work individually and in teams to prepare and run UCBS’s exhibition booth. Tasks include designing and delivering short scientific presentations, preparing educational materials, organizing simple hands-on demonstrations or models, and engaging in conversations with visitors (including prospective students, children, and families). These activities aim to present topics related to environmental protection and sustainable development in a clear, engaging, and interactive format.
The course enhances transferable skills such as teamwork, public speaking, time management, and communication across various levels of scientific understanding. It encourages students to reflect on their role as science communicators and ambassadors of sustainable values. Participation provides a valuable opportunity to apply academic knowledge in real-world settings and promote the mission of UCBS to a broader audience.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
MSOŚ /
K_W02 knows and understands at an advanced level the relationships and dependencies between various disciplines of natural sciences, in particular the relationships between animate and inanimate nature, especially in the context of environmental protection;
K_W13 knows and understands the basics of methods, techniques and technologies, as well as the methods of operation of tools and properties of materials that allow the use and shaping of the potential of nature in order to improve the quality of human life, as well as allowing the restoration of lost natural values;
K_W14 knows and understands the basics of phenomena, processes and technologies that allow for the acquisition of renewable energy;
K_W15 knows and understands the basics of the construction and functioning of environmental protection systems, especially in the context of the relationship between Earth and environmental sciences and legal sciences;
K_U01 is able to recognize elements of animate and inanimate nature;
K_U02 is able to use computer techniques, IT tools and information and communication technologies to the extent necessary to search for information, communicate, organize and conduct preliminary data analysis, prepare reports and present results; K_U04 is able to communicate in various forms with many recipients with different competences, in particular with representatives of the socio-economic environment;
K_U12 is able to use arguments concerning sustainable development;
K_K01 is ready to disseminate the principles of environmental protection and engage in ecological and health education;
K_K02 is ready to accept responsibility for own work and the results of team work, as well as for entrusted equipment, taking into account safety principles;
SD/
K_W01 knows and understands to a deeper degree the concept of sustainable development in relation to environmental and earth sciences and the social and economic dimension;
K_W02 knows and understands environmental, social and economic challenges at the regional and global level and understands the interconnections between them;
K_W03 knows and understands in-depth the problems and challenges of the environment and sustainable development, as well as the methods, tools and procedures leading to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at various spatial scales (global, regional, local) and industry scales such as business, administration and others;
K_U01 is able to initiate, actively participate and lead teams preparing documents and strategies for implementing the principles of sustainable development in various types of institutions and bodies at various levels of management, as well as within civic movements and other social initiatives;
K_U02 is able to work interdisciplinarily and cross-sectorally based on knowledge from various subject disciplines and institutional sectors in order to synthesize new ideas and concepts serving the environment and sustainable development;
K_U06 is able to participate in international and local initiatives and academic and practical debates on issues related to the environment and sustainable development.
K_K08 is ready to coordinate the work of the team, in particular in terms of the division of responsibilities and time management;
GED/
K_W01 knows and understands in depth key theories and current issues related to environment and development;
K_K01 critically analyze and discuss issues related to environment and development;
K_K02 consider the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary practice in environment and development studies;
K_U01 can apply and evaluate his/her own knowledge, how to use skills and competencies to solve complex, interdisciplinary problems that arise at the interface of environmental protection and development requirements;
K_U02 can work on environment and development issues in interdisciplinary and intercultural groups;
K_K04 is prepared to demonstrate the competencies, behaviors and attitudes required in professional life, including the ability to work on environment and development issues in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams in both the private and public sectors, based on reflection, honesty, openness, evidence-based thinking and collegiality;
Assessment criteria
The assessment includes:
- student’s activity and commitment,
- short presentation, its merits and delivery,
- the ability to conduct an experiment, its originality and description,
- student’s teamwork skills.
Practical placement
not applicable
Bibliography
1. Brownell, S.E., Price, J.V., Steinman, L. (2013)
Science communication to the general public: why we need to teach undergraduate and graduate students this skill as part of their formal scientific training, Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education, 12(1), E6–E10.
2. Holliman, R., et al. (2009)
Practising science communication in the information age: Theorising professional practices, Oxford University Press.
3. Bucchi, M., Trench, B. (2021)
Science Communication: An Introduction (2nd ed.), Routledge.
4. Lewenstein, B.V. (Ed.) (2022)
Researching Science Communication, Oxford University Press.
5. Komisja Europejska (2016)
Science Education for Responsible Citizenship – dostępny online: https://ec.europa.eu
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: