13–15 Nov 2024
Leipziger KUBUS Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung – UFZ
Europe/Berlin timezone
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Engaging Young Minds: Global educational outreach on soil biodiversity for kids

Not scheduled
1m
Leipziger KUBUS/2-AB - Hall 2 (Leipziger KUBUS)

Leipziger KUBUS/2-AB - Hall 2

Leipziger KUBUS

100
Poster Biodiversity and Society Poster Flash Talks

Speaker

Romy Zeiss

Description

Imagine a world where young minds, regardless of their native language, can delve into the hidden wonders beneath their feet. Our mission is to make science accessible to everyone by breaking down language barriers and fostering inclusivity in science education. By sharing soil biodiversity knowledge in various languages, we are helping to bridge cultural gaps and raise environmental awareness. We are keen to collaborate with others interested in using these resources, and we are exploring ideas for long-term funding or larger projects.

In detail, our project brings the thrilling realm of soil biodiversity research to kids and teens, making science accessible. We have edited a collection of articles tailored for ages 8-15, originally published in "Frontiers for Young Minds" and viewed over 500,000 times! These articles, crafted by leading scientists, explore fascinating topics - from how drought and over-fertilization affect soil creatures, to the battle between plants and nematodes, and even the growing issue of microplastic pollution.

But our journey doesn't end there. We engaged in translating these articles into many languages to reach young minds worldwide beyond the language barriers. So far, we collected 300 translations lined up in >40 languages, with half of them already live and attracting over 5,000 views annually. Our team coordinates translations, collaborates with volunteers, and promotes our work on social media. We are also partnering with the University of Leipzig and Würzburg to bring the articles into classrooms, e.g. aligning with Saxony’s curriculum through an exam project and designing a teacher's training course.

Join us at our poster to see how we’re bringing soil science to life for kids and teens around the globe, and get the latest updates on our exciting journey! Let’s make science accessible to everyone, together.

Status Group Doctoral Researcher

Primary author

Co-authors

Presentation materials