PopVaT – Popularisation of Science and Technology in Slovakia

The National Project for Popularisation of Science and Technology in Slovakia (PopVaT) started in April 2013 and it will continue until October 2015. It is co-financed from the EU structural funds. PopVaT is the fifth national project implemented by The Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information (CVTI SR). The idea of the project follows the goals of National Centre for Popularisation of Science and Technology in Society (NCP VaT) – one of the departments of CVTI SR. It was created with the aim to fulfill the tasks related to implementation of the strategy of science and technology popularisation in society approved by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. The main aim of the project is to increase the awareness of three target groups of population about science and technology importance. The objective in target group general public is to inform about Science and Technology as an important part of people’s lives and as field of society in which it is necessary to invest for better economic results in the future. Second target group of PopVaT concerns young people. It will use innovative and entertaining forms of popularisation to create a positive influence on young people who will be motivated to study in one of the areas of Science and Technology. Target group scientific community will receive support in the field of individual communication and promotion of results of their research activities to the general public. All main objectives will be achieved by the use of the most suitable activities and forms of promotion, regarding to each target group. The major activities of PopVaT are: - Scientific multimedia shows for young people - Documentaries and audiovisual resources about Science and Technology - Promotion of Science and technology on the internet - Communication on social networks - Science and Technology oriented conferences, seminars, workshops, film festival etc. - Science promoting publications and periodicals - Creation of Science Centre – kind of hands on museum for young people and wider public. Building of Science Centre is one of the most important activities of the project and this idea is strongly supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and by several science and technical unions, NGOs and also by private companies. This activity is important mainly due to the fact that Slovak Republic is one of the last developed countries without a place like Science Centre.Includes: Conference preprint, Powerpoint presentation, Abstract and Biographical notesXAInternationa