Astrotourism-fostering STEM and SDG

Basic information

Project Title

Full project title

Astrotourism-fostering STEM and SDG

Project Description

The basic idea of the project proposal is that with the help of astrotourism (which includes a wide range of STEM education and SDG definitions) as a creative method and the formation of a common framework of the four countries, to stimulate primary school students and secondary schools to be encouraged to work in the spheres of STEM education and to become leaders for the achievement of the SDG determinations.

Geographical Scope

Regional

Project Region

Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia., North Macedonia

Urban or rural issues

It addresses urban-rural linkages

Physical or other transformations

It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)

EU Programme or fund

Description of the project

Summary

Dealing with the consequences of climate change, various diseases, poverty, etc., can be easier with a sincere and visionary education of the new generations. STEM education has proven to have a high impact on deepening students' knowledge in these areas, while the 17 UN definitions known as SDGs in many countries of the world and especially among the new generations have raised awareness of the importance of their implementation throughout spheres of life. Contrary to what was said above, in the Balkan region, STEM education and SDG are still unknown concepts. While their promotion and the introduction of these "new concepts" in public school curricula remains challenging. Therefore, the basic idea of the project proposal is that with the help of astrotourism (which includes a wide range of STEM education and SDG definitions) as a creative method and the formation of a common framework of the four countries, to stimulate primary school students and secondary schools to be encouraged to work in the spheres of STEM education and to become leaders for the achievement of the SDG determinations. Meanwhile, the project will propose mechanisms for the inclusion of this framework in the annual school program to the local authorities.

Key objectives for sustainability

Specific objective(s):
• SO1: to create a robust Balkan network of new generations, who will be cooperative and competitive in the mentioned topics
• SO2: to build a theoretical basis, a framework for the Balkan region for the impact that astro-tourism may have on STEM education, SDG, and environmental protection.
• SO3: Establishment of a framework, position paper as a basis for further commitment to include astrotourism as a mechanism in promoting the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.
This project is exemplary, as it summarizes and raises three important topics that are rarely discussed at the level of institutions and at the community level.

Key objectives for aesthetics and quality

Results:
R1: Astrotourism is established as an idea, SDG is promoted as a necessity and STEM is promoted as a mechanism for general well-being;
R2: 24 students and 8 well-rounded staff with knowledge in STEM, SDG and good experiences in astrotourism and networking activities.
R3: 4 countries, with similar parameters, are connected to promote astrotourism as a mechanism for a sustainable future and improve the connection with nature.
R4: Well-studied framework for action (position paper) and ready to link STEM, SDG with astrotourism activities.
With this project, we have promoted mobility, mutual recognition and increased the belief that cooperation is possible.

Key objectives for inclusion

A total of 24 students and 8 teachers from 4 different states (NMK, AL, BiH, KS) of different communities, from the capitals, other cities and rural settlements, but all of whom communicated in English, participated in the project. Participating students were secondary school and primary school students (where the gender aspect was approximately 50% to 50%). In certain points of the project, other personalities and institutions were also involved. It is very important to mention that none of the project partners previously participated in regional cooperation. The partners have given importance to the representation of students from rural areas and less represented categories. Therefore, we consider that the project largely included various marginalized categories.
This project can be considered exemplary, as it offers a completely new approach that at the same time can accelerate some of the most important topics for the region (STEM, tourism, SDG, environmental protection, etc.), which are currently not in the target of the respective governments.

Results in relation to category

Atrotourism has been promoted as a powerful mechanism for strengthening capacities in STEM and SDG (4 countries and 32 participants), for sustainable security in the region.
A position paper and action framework have been drawn up, which will serve as a basis for joint commitment in the future.
There are tendencies of subjects dealing with tourist activities, for the inclusion of astrotourism in the organization of their tours
All partners have agreed to apply in joint projects, to achieve the definitions and basic idea of the project.

How Citizens benefit

The Balkan region faces challenges in STEM education and sustainable development due to a shortage of skilled professionals in STEM fields and socio-economic constraints. Astrotourism can be an effective mechanism to foster STEM education and sustainable development in the Balkan region. By promoting astrotourism, the region can create awareness among tourists, locals, and policymakers about the importance of STEM education and sustainable development. This awareness can lead to new initiatives and investments in STEM education and sustainable development. Astrotourism can also help in the conservation of natural and cultural heritage by creating new opportunities for eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and adventure tourism. The project has influenced the mutual recognition of the partners, their activities, target groups, their capacities and commitments in the respective countries. Based on this, the partners will engage in joint activities in the future. Even more, the mutual recognition of the new generations constitutes a stable and active basis for the future. While the formulation and signing of the position paper to a certain extent has also increased the joint responsibility in the continuation and application of the concepts in the work of the partners in particular. Based on the idea of the project, a position paper and framework was signed, which provides a long-term sustainability of the project, since based on this document, partners and other institutions can realize other projects and activities. In addition, the project created two lists of institutions and individuals interested in activities related to the nature of the project. This project has had a high impact on the expertise of the STEM activities of the partners, which are directly related to the definitions of astrotourism. Specifically, the project has offered a wide range of ideas for inclusive activities with different social factors.

Physical or other transformations

It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)

Innovative character

With the Astrotourism project - fostering STEM and SDG! the applicant brings an innovative and interdisciplinary approach, which provides a sound and sustainable basis for the education of new generations and society in general for topics such as: STEM education, SDG and astrotourism. Based on these topics and with this approach we offered new ideas that indirectly educate and take concrete initiatives to protect the environment. Even more, as a final result, the project provides an operating framework, which can be combined with other powerful elements (rural tourism, organic foods, green economy), which would also help the local economy. We are convinced that with this step, we are opening new horizons that connect education, recreation, environmental protection and economic development.

Disciplines/knowledge reflected

Based on the title of the project "Astrotourism-fostering STEM and SDG", a strong connection can be seen between the three concepts/fields Astrotourism, STEM and SDG, which are further connected to other fields such as: education, tourism, environmental protection, rural and green economy, etc. With the field activities for stargazing and videos, we have also promoted places of importance for tourism and increased the sensitivity for protection from light pollution. Even more, we have offered alternative approaches for organizing activities to local institutions, companies dealing with tourism, and organizations for the protection of the environment and cultural heritage. While the added value is: the formulation of the position paper, the lectures of professionals (including the analogous female astronomer), the initiation of the concept of astrotourism and the initial initiatives for networking.

Methodology used

The work methodology is based on the work and early activities of the partners (with whom we have not previously met and cooperated physically), which have mainly been focused on STEM education.
Regional partners who have proven their work have been targeted.
The idea of the project has been initiated and made known to you, which powerfully transforms the perception of STEM education and puts it into practical use for the community.
In order to increase the impact and build capacities, target groups have been set: direct - teachers, students and indirect - local institutions, schools, tourism agencies and NGOs.
The activities that will be carried out within the framework of the project have been determined.
The places where the activities will be carried out have been determined, due to the border obstacles the visit to Kosovo and Bosnia has been avoided.
All along we have applied an inclusive approach.

How stakeholders are engaged

During the realization of the special points of the project, a sense of joint commitment was created for the promotion of astrotourism as a mechanism to strengthen capacities in astronomy and STEM profiles. The initiatives in Albania were encouraging, where the project was presented in public schools and the students participating in the project presented their works. The partners from Bosnia and Macedonia have started the conception of the idea for astrotourism, focusing on human resources, while Kosovo is more focused on using the infrastructure in Pristina and the observatory that is being built in Shtime, Kosovo. Another element of particular importance was the inclusion of the analog astronaut Martina Dimoska, who actively presented in the Position Paper and in the closing conference. In the final phase of the project, the conference in Tetove, the idea of the project was joined by a large number of participants from other institutions from the field of tourism, participants from municipalities from the region of Pollog and representatives from several educational institutions. After the end of the conference, the contacts for joint initiatives, in the promotion of astrotourism in the region, immediately started. In general, a positive spirit has been created to push the current project to other levels presented in the position paper and to realize joint projects from the field of STEM and SDG.

Global challenges

Dealing with the consequences of climate change, various diseases, poverty, etc., can be easier with a sincere and visionary education of the new generations. STEM education has proven to have a high impact on deepening students' knowledge in these areas, while the 17 UN definitions known as SDGs in many countries of the world and especially among the new generations have raised awareness of the importance of their implementation throughout spheres of life. Contrary to what was said above, in the Balkan region, STEM education and SDG are still unknown concepts. While their promotion and the introduction of these "new concepts" in public school curricula remains challenging. Therefore, the basic idea of the project proposal was that with the help of astrotourism (which includes a wide range of STEM education and SDG definitions) as a creative method and the formation of a common framework of the four countries, to stimulate primary school students and secondary schools to be encouraged to work in the spheres of STEM education and to become leaders for the achievement of the SDG determinations.