SySTEM 2020 Policy Recommendations for Equitable Informal Science Education

Scientific and technological literacy has been recognised as an important skill for active citizenship in contemporary societies. In this context, Science Learning Outside the Classroom (SLOC) has a great potential for supporting meaningful engagements with science that enable learners to recognise science in their lives and develop the confidence, knowledge, and skills to actively participate in society through science and technology. Equity in SLOC is inextricably linked to social justice. Guaranteeing equal opportunities to participate in science learning activities is a necessary priority in SLOC and contributes to strengthening democracy.

Informal science learning offers an alternate pathway into science engagement for many learners who may otherwise not connect with science for a variety of reasons. This policy brief encourages leaders of SLOC organisations to embed equity into institutional policies and procedures to increase this impact. It also encourages Governmental bodies and funding agencies to provide long-term support for this valuable sector, and to provide robust pathways for their collaboration with formal science education, research and industry.

This policy brief aims to summarise the key messages and recommendations from the SySTEM 2020 project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 788317.