Training Innovators of Sustainable Development: A Cornerstone Role of Science Dissemination Events

Innovation is a crucial catalyst and driver for sustainable development, playing a vital role in the advancements and growth of twentieth-century society. Scientific and technological advances have significantly enhanced living standards and improved quality of life, boosting industrial productivity and competitiveness. However, the rapid expansion of industrial production has also led to increased consumption of energy and natural resources, resulting in environmental consequences that pose threats to ecosystems, including global warming and the overuse of energy, water, and land resources. Recently, educational systems across European countries have initiated innovative strategies to adapt to complex societal changes and address the challenge of improving citizens’ educational levels to enhance the triple bottom line: economic, environmental, and social well-being. I developed, conceived, and proposed straightforward experimental interdisciplinary activities for science dissemination events, aimed at discovering and nurturing creative learners by enhancing their focused attention and inspiring teachers in their everyday teaching practices as well. Therefore, during the European Researchers’ Night last year, the European Commission introduced the Researchers Schools actions by bringing researchers into schools, allowing teachers and students to exchange views with them on important current topics such as climate change, sustainable development, health, and diet. I have used flowers and natural foods to easily present abstract scientific concepts reinforcing the idea that biology, physics, and chemistry are present in our everyday lives, even if many remain unaware of it. Both educational outreach and game-based learning are gaining traction as effective means for engaging the public in scientific understanding. These approaches also serve to crowdsource solutions to problems related to molecular structures through puzzle games, inviting non-scientists to contribute to scientific research and various publications. To inspire a new generation of creative citizen scientists committed to sustainable development, I crafted a proposal for collaborative learning focused on teaching scientific concepts and fostering innovation.