Curiosity In Action

Curiosity in Action explores how youth workers and researchers can embed a curiosity inspired by STFC research into their practice. Through taking an action research model, this programme will support broader youthwork that builds the science capital of young people from underrepresented backgrounds.

A partnership between Science Ceilidh, Youthlink Scotland, Royal Observatory of Edinburgh and researchers including from the University of Edinburgh, the programme will pair 10 youth groups from across Scotland and their youth workers (from non-STEM specialist backgrounds) with resident STFC researchers. As equal "practitioner researchers" they will bring their respective expertise to co-develop and co-deliver STFC based activities, capturing what works, what doesn't work and the impact this approach has with their young people through regular meetings.

Learning from this process will be shared through the development of open-source practitioner "meta-resources", a co-written research paper and wider training and open community of practice for the broader community learning and development (CLD) and public engagement sectors. This will scale and further normalise an evidence-based approach to using STEM as a key tool in the youth work arsenal to support more confident, resilient and curious young people, community members and future scientists.