News
Debunking the Post-Truth Era: A New Handbook for Science Teachers Presented at the University of Tartu
On Thursday, 12 December, the authors introduced their new handbook “Busting Post-Truth in the Science Classroom” at the University of Tartu’s Institute of Education. The handbook is designed for current and future science teachers, as well as non-formal education providers, but its content is relevant for anyone concerned about the spread of misinformation and pseudoscience. The book provides both conceptual support and practical examples for addressing misinformation, pseudoscience, and conspiracy theories in science lessons. It also emphasises the importance of fostering scientific attitudes, ethical values, critical thinking, and empathy to tackle complex societal challenges. While the digital version has been available for some time, the event celebrated the launch of a tailored print of Estonian version. The presentation included opening remarks by Associate Professor Regina Soobard, Head of Pedagogicum and the Centre for Science Education. Katrin Vaino, the EVIDENCE project leader and co-editor of the handbook, shared insights about the finished project and the importance of continuing dissemination activities. Toomas Liivamägi, Director of Luunja Secondary School, highlighted the handbook’s practical applications. The authors, Professor Konstantinos Korfiatis, Associate Professor Anastasiya Astapova, Triin Rosin and Katrin Vaino, presented key points from the chapters. Co-editor Helen Semilarski summarised contributions from authors unable to attend. The event concluded with a celebratory reception.
Photo credit: Triin Rosin
EVIDENCE project received a Golden Apple from the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Agency
On 25 October 2024, the EVIDENCE project received the Golden Apple award in the Grand Hall of the Estonian Academy of Sciences – an honour presented annually by the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programme to the best completed projects. In this case, it was the main award in the category of projects aimed at general education. This recognition also extends to project partners from the University of Cyprus, Umeå University, Kuressaare Vocational Centre, and Antonio Arroio School of Arts. Project leader Katrin Vaino believes that with the created learning environment and guidebook, teachers can now more effectively address socially sensitive topics such as viruses and vaccination, climate change, evolution, and cannabis, as these subjects often circulate misinformation or even conspiracy theories. The learning materials guide students in evaluating the reliability of evidence and recognising common techniques of science denial in media texts. Each module is introduced by a staged short film that humourously illustrates popular (mis)conceptions on the topic. The materials also focus on developing skills in resolving moral dilemmas and making consensus-based decisions – essential skills for tackling global challenges. Interventions have shown that the materials positively impact students’ information literacy and help shift their understanding on these topics towards a more evidence-based perspective. The knowledge and ideas generated by the project (such as how to cultivate scientific thinking to protect against misinformation and support well-considered everyday decisions) have already sparked the development of a new research and innovation project. More information about the event can be found here.
Photo credit: Karoliine Aus
Arroio’s photo exhibition on Space reached to Tartu (April, 2023)
All intrested have a possibility to see an intriguing photo exhibition created by the Antonio Arroio Arts School team on the theme of space, in Vanemuise 46, Tartu until the end of the school year.
European Researchers’ Night in Tartu, 30 September 2022
Our project and created materials were finally presented in European Resaechers’ Night! The visitors were mainly locals, but also from India, China, Tibet, and Greece. Several public myths were busted while some were confirmed, too. Thank you Marie Johanna and Mihkel for your great contribution!
Our project team represented with a workshop “Mythbusters wanted!” at European Researchers’ Night held in Tartu, 30 September
More information can be found here.
EVIDENCE summer camp organised by the University of Cyprus team in 4-8 July 2022
The learning-teaching modules on Climate change and Radiation (IO1) were piloted with students (15-18 years old) in a summer camp.
Photo exhibition prepared by the Antonio Arroio Arts School team on Climate changes presented now in Tegs Central School (October, 2022)
Our project’s “big entrance” in the conference ERIDOB 2022 in Cyprus 29 August – 2 September
Within the conference, we had a good opportunity to disseminate the project’s first tangible results to the wider audience. The co-autors of the presented study “Post-truth challenges and associated science education responses” were: Katrin Vaino, Anastasiya Astapova, Hans Orru, Konstantinos Korfiatis, Ana Valdmann, & Oleg Popov. Three of us: Katrin, Ana and Kostas had a great opportunity to be at the venue. Kostas by the way, in the role of the local organiser and the person in charge.
The second learning-teaching-training event in Kuressaare
27 Sept – 1 Oct 2021 will take place the second learning-teaching-training seminar of the Erasmus+ project EVIDENCE which will be held in Kuressaare (Estonia) and hosted by Kuressaare Regional Training Centre (Merit Karise and Oliver Maaker). The participants (both real and virtual) of the seminar are project core staff, teachers and researchers of partner organisations, and associated partner schools.
In the seminar, the psychological mechanisms of conspiracy theories will be opened up by Anastassiya Astapova (University of Tartu, Estonia), public myths and understanding of climate changes will be outlined and contrasted with current scientific understanding by Konstantinos Korfriatis, Andreas Panayides, and Onofrious Merittou (University of Cyprus), and of cannabis by Hans Orru (Umeå Universitet). The participants will test and reflect on the modules that have been already developed (guided by Oleg Popov (Umeå University), and Katrin Vaino (University of Tartu)), but also brainstorm and give input into the next modules to be developed. Also, the participants will take part in a workshop and acquire skills in producing a short video (guided by Márcio Martins, Delfim Ramos, João Duarte, José Leitão, Antonio Arroio Arts School). The creativity and teamwork skills will be developed under the supervision of Merit Karise (Kuressaare Regional Training Centre).
