News
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Nature-based Solutions (NBS) addressing Sustainability Literacy
Our societies are experiencing unprecedented global changes, amongst which climate change is one of the most notable examples. The urgency for raising awareness and sparking action is ever more essential. In this context, education plays a fundamental role in fostering sustainability literacy, that is providing the knowledge, skills and mindsets that enable individuals to become deeply committed to developing sustainable and inclusive communities. Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) have emerged as an important way to address these needs; they are seen to benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services.In this context, the European Commission has initiated and funded an NBS pilot project (NBSPP), in collaboration with European Schoolnet (EUN), to create Learning Scenarios for teachers to address and include the topic of NBS in different levels of primary and secondary education. Learning Scenarios have been designed by leading teachers from seven countries and tested with over 1,000 students by Scientix.
The Learning Scenarios use a variety of pedagogies – such as inquiry-based science education, place-based learning, and eco-pedagogies. They are designed for STEAM teaching, that is the interdisciplinary integration of STEM and non-STEM subjects in class.
By raising awareness on practices that foster sustainable development, mitigate climatic changes, and shape active agents of sustainability, these NBS Learning Scenarios strengthen the potential contribution of education to the European Commission strategy for climate neutrality by 2050, resource-efficient economic growth, and social justice.
Fourteen learning scenarios have been developed to date, covering age range from 6 – 18 years. Examples include:
A Green School is a Healthy School
Suggested Age/Subjects: 15-19 yrs old – Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Science, Biology, Guidance lessonsThe Traveling Fox
Suggested Age/Subjects: 6-8 yrs old – Discovery of the World, Maths, Art, LanguageWaste Management of The Food Industry – Hazards, Risks and Solution
Suggested Age/Subjects: 16-18 yrs old – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, EconomicsNBS to prevent forest fires and reduce risk disasters caused by deforestation
Suggested Age/Subjects: 14+ – STE(A)MFurther information and links to all the learning scenarios can be found from www.scientix.eu/projects
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FameLab TALKING SCIENCE International 2020 NEEDS YOU!
The search for the winner of FameLab 2020 starts on 11 and 12 November at 4pm GMT when the semi-finalist contestants beam in from 20 countries across the world.FameLab would like you to be part of the global audience and vote for your favourite to become an international finalist.
New to FameLab? What can you expect?
Each contestant has three minutes to persuade you they are worthy of the title. Watch the live-streamed semis and final on the FameLab YouTube channel and vote. The winners of the semi-finals will be announced online on 16 November at 12pm GMT.
Join the Facebook group for the semi final 1, semi final 2 and the final (26 November) to be kept up-to-date with all the action and be notified of the live stream links.
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Bridging art and science: posters illustrating modern science
Provided by Canada’s ‘Science Literacy Week’ and partners, posters aiming to illustrate and explain in a fun, colourful and simple way some of modern science's most interesting phenomenon are available for download.Linked to each annual #SciLit theme, the posters feature illustrations and texts by some of Canada's most talented illustrators and science writers.
- B for Biodiversity: Theme for 2020 in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation
- O for Oceans: Theme for 2019 in partnership with the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition
- S for Space: Theme for 2018 in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency
- S for Science: theme for 2017
The posters are produced and curated by Microfiches in collaboration with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and their theme-specific partners of each edition of Science Literacy Week.
Download from www.scienceliteracy.ca
Subscribe #Scilit news and resources
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Award call for public libraries improving people’s lives
REMINDER - just two weeks to submission deadline for the EIFL Public Library Award!COVID-19 has made 2020 a difficult year, disrupting personal and professional lives everywhere. EIFL launched the award earlier this year and included a new Innovation Award category for new public library services introduced to help communities struggling to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award is open to all public and community libraries in developing and transition countries that use ICT to improve lives in their communities.
- The prize is US$1,500, a trophy and wide publicity through EIFL’s global networks
- The deadline for applications is 16 November 2020.
- Applications are accepted in English, French, Russian and Spanish are accepted
See full details of the award, who can apply, the service categories, criteria and applications procedures.
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Academy of Science, South Africa (ASSAf) Webinars
In conjunction with International Open Access Week 19 - 23 October 2020 Theme: “Open with Purpose: Taking Action to Build Structural Equity & Inclusion”Tuesday 20 October: Global Open Access to Scholarly Literature: Progress and Evidence of African Leadership
Wednesday 21 October: The POPI Act (POPIA) Forum
The need for a single Code of Conduct for Research and discussion of key issues to be addressed in the Code.Thursday, 22 October: The Open Science Agenda & Framework for South Africa
Friday, 23 October: The African Scientists Directory
Register to participate in the ASSAf Webinars
Follow all the programmes of OA Groups, Events, Videos and Photos
#openaccess
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Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2020 (24 to 31 October)
Participate by 1. organizing relevant local events/activities, and then 2. registering them on the MIL website.A set of flyers are available on Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate Global MIL Week 2020 providing ideas about what you could do and targeting different stakeholder groups including:
- Cities
- Libraries
- Media
- MIL Networks
- Schools
- Youth Organizations
All flyers are accessible in english, french and spanish from en.unesco.org
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International Open Access Week 19 - 23 October 2020
Theme: “Open with Purpose: Taking Action to Build Structural Equity & Inclusion”Follow the programmes of OA Groups, Events, Videos and Photos.
For example, the Academy of Science, South Africa (ASSAf) Webinars
Tuesday 20 October: Global Open Access to Scholarly Literature: Progress and Evidence ofAfrican Leadership
Wednesday 21 October: The POPI Act (POPIA) Forum
The need for a single Code of Conduct for Research and discussion of key issues to be addressed in the Code.Thursday, 22 October: The Open Science Agenda & Framework for South Africa
Friday, 23 October: The African Scientists Directory
Register to participate in the ASSAf Webinars
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FameLab 2020 goes online and dates for Semi Finals and International Finals now announced
FameLab, the international science communication competition, facilitated by the Cheltenham Science Festival and delivered by the British Council, has taken on a new interactive online format.On November 11th and 12th, the FameLab national finalists from 20 countries will take to the virtual stage to deliver their three-minute presentations on a range of topics through semi-finals in their quest to reach the international final (26th Nov) to battle for the title of global winner 2020.
The online events will be streamed live on the FameLab YouTube channel
Further details are available on the Cheltenham Science Festival website
Please also follow news and updates on FameLab International Facebook and Twitter
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International Day for Universal Access to Information: The Right to Information in Times of Crisis
To launch the 2020 International Day and its themes, UNESCO has organized a high-level online panel, “Access of Information – Saving lives, Building Trust, Bringing Hope!” set to take place online at 2:00 p.m. (CEST) on 28 September.Followed by a series of Webinars throughout the week (each requires individual registration):
- Access to Information and Openness, 28 September 2020, 4:00 p.m.
- Disinformation and Access to Information, 29 September 2020, 11:00 a.m.
- Measuring SGD 16.10.2, 29 September 2020, 3:00 p.m.
- Implementation of Laws, 29 September 2020, 4:30 p.m
- Infodemic and Youth, 30 September 2020, 3:00 p.m.
- Open Access, 30 September 2020, 4:30 p.m.
Issue Brief on Access To Information in Times of Crises
Read more: International Day for Universal Access to Information:
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Science Literacy Week 21- 27 September, 2020
Canada is once again showcasing the diversity of Canadian science and the culture in which it is embedded.Libraries, museums, science centres, schools and not-for-profits have come together to highlight books, movies, podcasts and events that convey the excitement and influence of science in their everyday lives. It’s about each and everyone’s unique relationship with science and how they live it.
The theme for 2020 is B for Biodiversity, in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
- Download posters
- Follow events, including 84 Public and 209 online