Aging puts forward the fundamental challenge, which faces modern societies. One of crucial aspects of dealing with this phenomenon is to develop and design new ways to better utilize and develop the capacity of growing part of society consisting of older adults (65+).This goal can be achieved through effective engagement in area of science, which can lead to multiple positive ends like helping to maintain both mental and physical) well-being of older adults. An method of achieving the above mentioned goal with the intended project is to engage senior adults using citizen science, which advances in diverse areas like: ecology, astronomy, medicine, computer science, statistics, psychology, genetics, engineering and many more. The massive collaborations that can occur through citizen science allow investigations at regional and even global scales and across decades—leading to discovery that a single scientist could never achieve on their own. By definition in citizen science research projects participate not professional scientists. Rather, people who are curious or concerned and want to collaborate with professional scientists in ways that advance scientific research on topics they care about. Participation in research projects under the label of citizen science can play an important role in activating senior adults, particularly those who feel that they are being left behind, since they have difficulties in understanding new developments in area of science and technology, nor how those developments impact their life and how to use some of the modern technologies. The recipients of the project will be three groups: - Senior adults - Professional researchers from universities and research institution, which are of scientific expertize can utilize citizen science - Educators working with senior adults To achieve its goals project consortium will develop a didactic material which will contain methodology how to engage senior adults in research projects under the label of citizen science, good practices on how to increase popularity of volunteerism among older adults, curriculum path dedicated for seniors (the description of workshops and other activities designed for senior adults indicating expected learning outcomes). The project envisages the testing phase – the suggestions from the textbook will be put in the practice in the form of a workshop training for educators. Potential longer-term project`s benefits are following: a) promotion of life - long learning among senior adults b) activating senior adults by participating in science research projects c) popularizing citizen science among science community in countries represented in the project. To maximize the dissemination of projects results will be organized one multiplier event in each country represented by consortium members. Important feature of the intended project is to gather institutions from countries with different experience and achievements in the area of senior adults engagement. It will allow to develop universal solution to common challenge which is a longevity revolution. Consortium members have an extraordinary opportunity to engage senior adults with science in ways that can benefit both individuals and societies.
The aim of the project was to improve the competences of older people and involve them in research and analytical activities in the field of citizen science (as one of the forms of scientific and educational activation of seniors).This goal was achieved by involving the senior community in research projects implemented by project partners. At the same time, project participants learned about examples of various (selected) citizen science projects that are implemented around the world by research centers, universities and research institutes. Researchers and senior educators have been equipped with knowledge and tools, enabling them to conduct activities for the benefit of the senior community and with its participation in the field of education and science.The implementation of the project allowed for the development and design of new ways of using and developing the potential of the growing part of society consisting of older people (65+) from year to year. This goal was achieved through the effective involvement of older people in the area of learning, which had a positive impact on improving their mental and physical well-being.
An aging of the society is a challenge for modern societies. It means that the abilities of older people (65+) must be better developed and used in action. One of the key aspects of dealing with this phenomenon is to formulate and design new ways (means) of improving the mental and physical well-being of seniors and increase their social activity. The implemented project responded to the implementation of educational and civic activities addressed to a group of seniors. Activities carried out within the project (joint research, workshops and ongoing exchange of experiences) helped to develop solutions (recommendations) that enable the activation of older people in the field of citizen science, scientific, educational and social involvement. The project responded to the need to engage seniors, listen to their needs in the field of educational activities, and adapt these activities to the needs and capabilities of older people. The result is the preparation of teaching material for people working with seniors, which includes the methodology of cooperation with seniors in the field of citizen science.