Period: August 20 – September 3, 2022
Location: Măgurele
Participants: 80 students, 35 teachers
The fifth edition of the Măgurele Science and Technology Summer School (MSciTeh) once again opened its doors from August 20 to September 3, 2022. The event targeted high school students and STEM teachers (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, geography, and technology) from middle and high schools. MSciTeh was organized through a partnership between the University of Bucharest, the Horia Hulubei National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH), and the National Institute for Earth Physics (INFP), under the patronage of the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization.
Program Overview
MSciTeh offers research initiation internships in small teams of 3–6 students, guided by mentors who propose diverse and interdisciplinary topics. These topics span science, engineering, digital technologies, environmental studies, and science communication, emphasizing societal impact. Each edition of MSciTeh focuses on a central theme highlighting the efforts and outcomes of research communities with significant societal applications.
This year’s theme, “Discoveries, New Results, and Trends in Science and Research,” aimed to familiarize students with the modern language of science, cutting-edge research topics, and emerging technologies poised to impact society through future applications.
Teacher Development
For secondary school teachers, MSciTeh offered an integrated perspective on science education and emphasized collaboration within dynamic, community-oriented schools. The program’s goal was to empower participants to become active leaders of change and modernization in their schools through partnerships with local or national support communities.
Professional Development Sessions
This year’s edition incorporated insights and experiences from previous editions and other educational projects. The professional development program included sessions on:
- Innovative pedagogies and the development and implementation of relevant educational resources for classroom activities.
- Designing STEM, STEAM, or STREAM curricula to align with modern educational approaches.
- Support networks for STEM professionals to facilitate access to and exchange of best practices.
- STEM disciplinary projects with an integrated approach to enhance interdisciplinary learning.
MSciTeh continues to foster collaboration between students, teachers, and research communities, aiming to inspire the next generation of scientists, educators, and innovators.