What OSI Offers in the Field of Education for Sustainable Development
OSI develops Education in Sciences, Sustainable Development, and Nature through Practice, via real participatory and solidarity science projects. These scientific missions, both social and ecological, rely on the diversity of volunteer participants, training them to become future leaders of the new ecological generation. These participatory research Participatory Research see : http://www.voyages-scientifiques.com projects in holiday camps or school outings involve civil society, making it both an actor and driver. OSI thus enables local populations to develop tailored solutions to address their own problems. The structure of this initiative allows for strong involvement and a high level of commitment from young people in their own education.
In Practice
OSI uses participatory science to achieve the goals of education for sustainable development, based on three pillars:
- Project-based pedagogy, optimized and adapted to school settings (from primary to higher education) and extracurricular contexts, enabling the schools of tomorrow to be built and strengthening education through solidarity science projects,
- Training of actors and decision-makers so that they are skilled in science education and participatory science,
- “Research and Development” projects in the public interest, aimed at discovering and developing solutions and technologies for human problems and then transferring these solutions to ethical and responsible economic actors for concrete implementation.
And this applies regardless of your country.
Achievements and Impact
OSI has been active in France since 1992 and was invited in 1998 by the Science and Technology Service of the French Embassy in Japan to export French expertise in science education to Japan, which was achieved in 2000. In 2005, also in France, the famous pilot year of participatory research Participatory Research see : http://www.voyages-scientifiques.com camps was implemented, carried out for the first time in the world, relating to the project presented here. Since 2005:
- 15,000 monthly visits to the website, with over one million total visits
- 1,500 trained facilitators, including 500 teachers, 500 scientists, and 500 educators
- Over 5,000 children and adolescents benefited
Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals
OSI addresses the new 2030 Agenda by placing science, technology, innovation, and education at the service of sustainable development. Through participatory solidarity research, OSI enables local populations to develop their own solutions to their problems.
OSI recognizes the importance of quality learning for all, throughout life, and ensures the training of actors and decision-makers to be competent in project pedagogy and participatory science, thereby addressing one of UNESCO’s educational challenges in terms of skill acquisition for work in specific fields.
Transformation
OSI changes behaviors through science camps; fostering free will, discernment, forward-thinking, involvement, and commitment. Leaders guide and support young people toward responsible consumption and a stronger connection to Nature. Each Participatory Science action addresses a theme and relates to an SDG.
OSI contributes to training teachers and teacher trainers, becoming a support bridge, transferring specific skills and methods in education that are ergonomic for teachers.
These actions produce results that address human problems or those caused by humans. Quality follow-up and long-term monitoring provide a system for evaluating subjective elements that account for changes in behavior or mindset among participants.
Integration
The Participatory Science activities invented by OSI have integrated peace education and social ecology training from the outset. These actions are experienced fully, with educational and pedagogical projects incorporating these dimensions (forums, cooperation, conflict resolution, NVC, etc.).
Since they are practical, these actions involve young people and their supervisors in projects with potential economic development, and all scientific research takes economic context into account in its proposals. Jobs are also created.
Actions related to Nature bring participants closer to their environment, and all technical projects are conducted in nature or close to it (parks, rivers, etc.). Nature is always at the center of the questions posed.
Innovation
The process designed by OSI allows anyone to get involved in high-level scientific projects accessible to all. OSI paves the way for participatory citizen science, attracting young people through the appealing format of participatory research in science camps. OSI clearly enables young people to realize their dreams in a secure environment, offering high-quality guidance and intellectual honesty.
The intellectual approach of the NGO OSI is to train more and control less. By providing local teams with all necessary tools and creating platforms for sharing best practices, we enable the project to be replicated in other geographic areas, thus contributing to addressing various social challenges.
To Learn More
The concept in 80 Seconds (video): http://www.vacances-scientifiques.com/OSI-en-80-secondes.html
UNESCO/OSI Correspondence: http://www.osi-ngo.org/nos-actions/education-aux-sciences-par-la-pratique/article/osi-et-l-unesco
Participant Comments and Quotes: http://www.vacances-scientifiques.com/Remerciements-des-participant-e-s.html
Press Article References: http://www.vacances-scientifiques.com/-La-Presse-en-parle-.html
Photo Gallery: http://www.vacances-scientifiques.com/Photos-et-Videos.html
