The IRRESISTIBLE Project (FP7, Grant 612367) had the aim of involving teachers, students, and the public in the discussion on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), promoting both the construction of knowledge on cutting-edge (and controversial) research topics and the discussion about the criteria that these research/innovation processes should respect in order to be considered as responsible. These criteria also represent a strong contribution to a more sustainable future for all. This quantitative research evaluates the impact of IRRESISTIBLE’s student-curated exhibitions–about the RRI dimensions of cutting-edge research topics (socio-scientific issues)–on students’ perceptions regarding their scientific competences and the science classes. A pre- and post-test questionnaire was developed, validated, and applied to students from 10 countries. The overall results of the statistical analysis indicate that students improved their perceptions regarding their competences in developing exhibitions in science classes as a way of creating awareness on topics relating to science, technology, and society. This activity reinforced students’ perceptions that in science classes they: (a) discuss current issues and how they impact their lives; (b) develop socially relevant projects; and (c) learn how to influence other citizens’ decisions about social issues related to science, technology, and the environment with the aim of assuring a more sustainable future.

L'action collective raisonnée, connue sous le nom d'activisme, orientée vers la résolution de problèmes de la société, offre des possibilités d'apprentissage tout au long de la vie et permet aux étudiants de développer des connaissances du domaine de la science et de la technologie. Dans une société où les découvertes scientifiques et les progrès technologiques sont constants, les potentialités de cette approche sont également reconnues dans la formation de citoyens responsables, capables d'agir et de résoudre des problèmes, tout en essayant d'influencer d'autres citoyens à prendre des décisions sur les problèmes complexes tels que ceux que présentent les questions socialement vives. Considérant que la formation de jeunes et d'adultes plus responsables et scientifiquement informés est fondamentale, cette recherche-action visait: a) à munir les futurs enseignants de compétences dans la conception, la mise en oeuvre et l'évaluation des activités orientées vers l'action sociopolitique sur les questions socialement vives; b) promouvoir chez les participants les valeurs de citoyenneté et de sensibilisation à l'environnement; c) identifier les difficultés et le potentiel de ces initiatives; d) comprendre l'impact de ce type d'expérience éducative chez les futurs enseignants. Les participants à l'étude étaient des étudiants préparant une licence en éducation élémentaire (futurs professeurs des écoles primaires et maternelles) dans le contexte de la discipline d'Éducation à l'Environnement. L'analyse des narratives produites par les futurs enseignants a permis de constater que tous avaient développé des compétences au niveau de la planification et de l'intervention dans la société, en recourant à différents types d'initiatives. Cette expérience de formation a ainsi permis, aux participants le développement de capacités à l'action et à la transformation sociale et environnementale. Il a également été possible de sensibiliser le public-cible des actions réalisées par les futurs enseignants à agir de façon plus responsable sur l'environnement.

De acordo com a Agência Europeia do Ambiente, o grande desafio deste século centra-se na sustentabilidade. Neste contexto, é fundamental uma multiplicidade de atores e de iniciativas que permitam aumentar a consciencialização ambiental dos cidadãos e repensar comportamentos e estilos de vida. O presente estudo, centrado na formação inicial de professores de Educação Básica em Portugal (responsáveis pelos primeiros 6 anos de escolaridade), perspetiva estes futuros profissionais e os seus alunos como agentes de educação ambiental capacitados para a transformação social. Em conformidade com esta perspetiva, foram desenvolvidas propostas de trabalho assentes numa abordagem de Educação para a Cidadania Ambiental com o objetivo de compreender de que forma o envolvimento dos professores nestas atividades, com recurso à Web 2.0, pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de competências que permitam a tomada de decisões informadas e a ação individual e coletiva perante emergências locais, nacionais e globais, como defende a UNESCO. Apresentam-se parte dos resultados de um estudo de caso de natureza qualitativa, obtidos a partir de uma entrevista semiestruturada realizada em profundidade no final da intervenção. A análise de conteúdo permitiu verificar que esta abordagem didática contribuiu para a construção de conhecimentos sobre as problemáticas ambientais abordadas e a promoção de capacidades, valores e atitudes pró-ambientais. Conclui-se que as práticas de Cidadania Ambiental possibilitam uma abordagem ativa e inovadora no ensino das ciências através da participação dos futuros professores em ações comunitárias, nomeadamente em contexto de ensino a distância.

The IRRESISTIBLE Project (FP7, Grant 612367) had the aim of involving teachers, students and the public in the discussion on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), promoting both the construction of knowledge on cutting-edge (and controversial) research topics and the discussion about the criteria that these research/innovation processes should respect in order to be considered as responsible. These criteria also represent a strong contribution to a more sustainable future for all. This quantitative research evaluates the impact of IRRESISTIBLE's student-curated exhibitions -about the RRI dimensions of cutting-edge research topics (socio-scientific issues) -on students' perceptions regarding their scientific competences and the science classes. A pre and postquestionnaire was developed, validated and applied to students from 10 countries. The overall results of the statistical analysis indicate that students improved their perceptions regarding their competences for developing exhibitions in science classes as a way of creating awareness on topics relating science-technology-society. This activity reinforced students' perceptions that in science classes they: a) discuss current issues and how they impact their lives; b) develop socially and relevant projects; and c) learn how to influence other citizens' decisions about social issues related to science, technology and environment with the aim of assuring a more sustainable future.research topic, to raise their awareness to RRI and to obtain the necessary knowledge for the development of an interactive scientific exposition on that topic (an extra E -Exchange -added by the IRRESISTIBLE project to the 5E model [4].Reflection on the RRI dimensions of each cutting-edge research topic was guided by the aspects defined by Hilary Sutcliffe in her report on Responsible Research and Innovation [5]: a) Engagement -joint participation of researchers, industry and civil society in the research and innovation process; b) Gender equality -equal involvement of both men and women; c) Science education -creative education to foster the future needs of society; d) Ethics -the necessity of respecting fundamental rights and the highest ethical standards; e) Open access -assuring free online access to the results of publicly funded research; f) Governance -the responsibility of policy makers to develop harmonious models for RRI. Several of these aspects represent a strong contribution not only to RRI but also to a better and more sustainable future for all, addressing some of the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development [6,7]: Goal 4 -Quality education as a requirement to equip citizens with the tools required to develop and to discuss innovative solutions to the world's greatest problems; Goal 5 -Gender equality as a fundamental human right assuring women and girls participation in all levels of society; Goal 9 -Technology and innovation, orientated by responsibility, are the foundation of development; Goal 13 -Climate action requires...