Abstracted/indexed

This work presents the usage of a digital educational resource (DER) CreativeLab_Sci&Math | Plate Tectonics, that explores the PhET™ Plate Tectonics simulator, in the context of preservice teachers (PST) education in Portugal. Results show that the DER contributed for the successful PST' achievement of learning outcomes concerning plate tectonics dynamics.

Seismicity caused by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has triggered moratoria and is a topic of public interest. In this paper we show that ambiguity and inconsistency of language around magnitude and scale challenges current understanding of perceived risk of induced seismicity, and risk communication. We call for multi-method approaches to understand perceived risks around geoenergy resources, and suggest to adopted a shared language framework to describe seismic events.

Citizen science and education. An educational program, focusing on seismological activities at school, and on raising citizen awareness of natural hazards, has been active in France since 1995. Over this quarter century, different generations of students have learnt various lessons concerning instrument installation, data recording and analysis. Analysis of earthquakes has generated a strong awareness of the seismic hazard, especially after the deployment of seismometers at schools.

An evaluation of the accessibility and equity of a programme of independent research projects shows that, with the right support from both teachers and active researchers, school students' ability to succeed at undertaking cutting-edge research appears independent of typical societal inequalities.

The impacts upon a diverse range of students, teachers, and schools from participating in a programme of protracted university-mentored projects based in cutting-edge physics research are assessed. The lasting impacts on confidence, skills, aspirations, and practice suggest that similar research in schools initiatives may have a role to play in aiding the increased uptake and diversity of physics/STEM in higher education as well as meaningfully enhancing the STEM environment within schools.

A scalable framework for protracted research-based engagement with schools which has transformed cutting-edge space science, astronomy, and particle physics into accessible 6-month independent research projects for schools. We explore the considerations made in developing it, detailing the structure, mentoring, and resources offered by active researchers. Evaluation shows this model supports students and teachers to have positive experiences with research, which has been regarded by researchers.

In this study, entries in an online collaborative dictionary in Turkey are analyzed. Topics of several earthquakes in Turkey and its surroundings are the focus of the study. Experience of the users during earthquakes are converted into a seismic intensity values which are compared with the models that are used for the prediction of the same metric. It is found that people's experience are correlated with the predictions up to certain distance.

Postsecondary advanced hydrology students often work with electronic sensing systems at field sites but are rarely given the opportunity to build and test electronic circuits used for collection of environmental data. Students constructed custom-designed circuits for water detection and environmental measurement. The circuits taught students about systems theory and hydrological models. This activity motivated learning and showed how circuits are used to collect data for model application.

Earth science (rocks, soils etc.) is often a subject area that causes concern for many primary teachers and trainees who lack confidence in teaching it. The article describes and analyses the workshops offered by the Earth Science Education Unit (Keele) facilitated by enthusiastic earth scientists. The reactions by participants to the appropriate level practical suggestions using cheap resources shows how short CPD can provide valuable confidence building sessions.

Ethical issues in science include research misconduct and the rightful treatment of people, animals, the environment and our planet. Based on interviews with thirteen scientists, we identify a framework of virtues, and corresponding vices, in modern science. We employ the narrative structure of the late medieval poem Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri, and draw on its moral universe to explore the scientific virtues and the role of virtue ethics in science.

We explore how earthquakes affect everyday life through a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates historical, artistic and scientific perspectives. The effects of distant earthquakes are investigated using data collected on a seismometer located in the Wills Memorial Building tower in Bristol. We also explore historical accounts of earthquakes and their impact on society and finally, we use the data collected by the seismometer to communicate artistically the Earth's tectonic movements.

Absurd theories have been gaining adherents without any criticism. And the worst: consolidating. Thus, in order to find solutions for a better understanding of our real theories, it was created the project "The Earth is Flat! Isn’t it? ", Which aims to use performing art as the main communicator to spread science. The first was of integration between Science and Art. The second was dramaturgy along with the creative process. And the third stage was the spectacle.

Narratives include several characteristics that make them memorable, understandable and enjoyable. To study how memorable different ways are of presenting information is a fundamental task for science communication in order to evaluate materials that not only need to be understood by the general public, but also retained in the long-term as a part of the knowledge appropriation process.

The paper brings in a scientific context a classical debate within the literary scholars' community: the sources that William Shakespeare used for the Tempest. The play is studied in the context of natural hazard, suggesting that geosciences can help to move the debate forward adding new elements. The paper collects then all the hints that can help placing the island in a Mediterranean context, indicating the playwright as a witness of volcanism in the Sicilian sea.

Part of the INGV activity is focused on production of Educational and Outreach resources on Geophysics and natural hazard. Research results are periodically transferred to public through a plan of scientific dissemination where graphic and visual communication has become an essential point of reference. The paper presents examples of this advanced graphics support and discuss the positive INGV experiences, result of a strict relationship between graphic designers and researchers.

We have continued the interdisciplinary study on climate and music and have developed the crosscutting study plans on the climate and cultural understanding education, for promoting the Fundamental ESD Literacy. This review article re-integrates the results of our studies referring to our papers written in Japanese, mainly paying attention to the regional characteristics of the seasonal cycles and the songs/traditional seasonal events around Germany, Northern Europe and Japan.

We present a new approach in science communication that uses art forms, such as poetry and ancient music, to entice people to learn about landscapes. Our goal is to promote a deeper understanding of landscapes by integrating their origin and physical aesthetic with their cultural and artistic heritage. We aim to educate people to a new perception of site, starting from its physical beauty, building on scientific study and cultural history, and arriving to the knowledge of its social importance.

In this age of environmental awareness, it is interesting to see how the ecological movement was created with a saint and an artist. The unlikely team of St. Francis and Giotto were revolutionaries. Francis with his ideas on natural philosophy and Giotto who portrayed the geological landscape in a way that made any viewer aware of the majesty of God's creation. These two created a lasting legacy as they shaped man's perspective on the environment over 700 years ago.

We examine the role and potential of science museums in relation to the Chicxulub museum and research center in Yucatan, Mexico, built around the Chicxulub asteroid impact and the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary mass extinction. What is the role of site museums and geological sites in outreach, education and geosciences communication? Natural history and geological museums with research components allow integrating ongoing up to date research advances, expanding their usefulness and capabilities.

We present the results of a theatre based project designed to promote gender equity in STEM disciplines. We use the Theatre of The oppressed techniques to promote discussions about gender issues concerning access, permanence and ascension of women in exact and earth sciences careers. The scenes are able to show that, in general, these issues relates between other causes, to structural paternal culture, and reveal how all kinds of harassment can take place in academia.

Earth Girl Volcano is a casual strategy interactive game about saving a community at risk from volcanic hazards, available for free in several languages. The easy-to-play game features a friendly animated visual style, and was designed by a multidisciplinary team to appeal to mainstream non-technical audiences. The game was inspired by the experiences of volcanic disasters' survivors and civil defense field staff. Players can learn virtually about disaster preparedness and response.

We organized a photo exhibition on the climate crisis, using high-quality images, shot by the authors during campaigns in glacier regions. Working-age people were attracted by the gorgeous images, passing the message that such a beauty is in danger of vanishing. Twice, the visitors could talk directly with the photo authors, discussing geoscience, photography, and aesthetic choices, and, of course, climate change, a problem to which each of us has a part to play.

The EMusic project was born with the aim to use Music as a tool to explain to a wide audience the role of Geophysics and Geology in our society: by means of the sonification of the EM response of the Earth, we are able to accompany people in an imaginary voyage into the subsurface, so that they can travel into depth and into the past. By this way the audience can learn what was the geological evolution of the site used as a natural stage, from where the EM data were collected.

The 2016 INGV calendar: 10 years with Planet Earth, has reviewed 10 years primary schools calendars. We have launched competitions asking children to sent drawings on Earth Sciences and Earth dynamics. Beyond competitions, the drawings reflect impressions and thoughts, providing an opportunity to illustrate the children's point of view, as well as how scientific messages are received. From drawings emerge a great sensitivity, consideration and respect for Earth and positive feeling for Science.

Everybody experiences weather and has, likely, a grasp on the notion of different climates. There are discussions on how to define climate, since climate is a policy-relevant topic. Here, I try to clarify why the saying Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get is an appropriate definition that, however, depends on the definition of what may be seen as weather.

The measurement of knowledge transfer is considered an important component of the overall performance assessment of research groups. It is, however, not a trivial task, because there is agreement on neither the definition nor on the logical structure of knowledge. In this paper related problems are summarized and approaches to the measurement of knowledge transfer are critically discussed.

A simulation tool has been realized with which the sensitivity of the Earth climate system to human interference can be studied. The tool is intended to offer users of the software, e.g. students in higher education, support in gaining insight into critical aspects of the climate system and thus counteracting common misconceptions with regard to the functioning of this system. The conceptual design of the tool is based on the paradigm learning as experimenting.