Join us in celebrating #ErasmusDays by learning about experiences from Esplora employees who participated in various Erasmus+ Projects, thanks to EUPA Malta. This event will showcase the advantages of Erasmus+, a programme that allows individuals to explore new cultures, enhance language skills, boost employability, and provide have many more opportunities.
Esplora too has benefitted from the Erasmus+ Programme, specifically through the project ‘Learning for All: Upskilling for Greater Impact and Reach’, which helped members of our staff who participated to develop science engagement initiatives targeting youth, and to improve their competence in developing and evaluating community outreach events. Participating members of our staff also attended training events hosted by Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland, and by Ars Electronica Science Centre, in Linz, Austria.
3 to 7 September 2024
During my training at the Ars Electronica Science Centre in Austria, I had an incredible opportunity to explore the intersection of art, technology and science. The hands-on workshops and innovative projects fostered a collaborative environment that expanded my creativity and critical thinking skills. I was inspired by the centre’s commitment to pushing boundaries and encouraging experimentation. This experience not only enriched my understanding of contemporary challenges in these fields but also strengthened my passion for interdisciplinary collaboration. Participating in this Erasmus+ programme has been a transformative journey that I will carry with me throughout my career.
Taking part in the Erasmus+ training mobility at Ars Electronica was a truly eye-opening experience. Engaging with the Ars Electronica Festival, I was struck by the seamless blend of art, technology and science, which created an immersive environment for creativity and collaboration. The innovative approaches to science communication at the Festival pushed me to rethink how we can present complex concepts to our audiences in more accessible and interactive ways. From exploring new digital tools, to witnessing creative interdisciplinary projects, I came away with fresh perspectives that will undoubtedly positively influence my work at Esplora. This experience has reaffirmed the importance of keeping curiosity alive in science communication, and I look forward to applying what I learned to craft engaging, thought-provoking programmes for our visitors.
Erasmus + mobilities are always a fantastic learning opportunity, as we get to experience firsthand what other like-minded individuals and organisations are doing all across Europe. This was also the case during our recent job shadowing experience at the Ars Electronica Centre. I appreciated how diverse our programme was as we could familiarise ourselves with the Centre itself before fully immersing ourselves into the Ars Electronica festival. The festival is a celebration of what Ars Electronica is all about; the intersection of science, art and society. Seeing the practical and creative applications of science and technology was something very unique and it is in fact what makes this science centre so particular. Seeing artists and scientists work so closely together truly inspired me and reinvigorated my creative efforts at my job back home, which is why I am grateful to have experienced this training mobility.
In September, I had the opportunity to undergo an Erasmus+ training mobility at Ars Electronica in Linz, Austria. This is a world-renowned science centre combining art, science and technology in so many fascinating exhibits and shows. As a science communicator, this mobility profoundly enhanced my approach in engaging diverse audiences and impacted my understanding of various facets of science. During the time spent at Ars Electronica, I was deeply immersed in a setting that promotes creativity, innovation and collaboration across various disciplines. We had numerous fruitful discussions with experts in the fields of science communication, content creation and public engagement. This holistic approach to science communication has not only aided in building my personal skills, but will help me to continue developing inclusive in-house and outreach programmes in my own work at Esplora.
Participating in the ERASMUS+ exchange, representing Esplora at the Ars Electronica Festival was an incredibly enriching experience. It offered a unique opportunity to engage with the Festival’s renowned exhibitions and to explore the dynamic Ars Electronica Science Centre. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary education team, we shared different perspectives, enhancing our knowledge. Alongside a new team member, I gained valuable insights into science communication, learning from a highly experienced cohort of science communicators. This experience sparked fresh ideas for integrating innovative technology into our practice, inspiring future projects and improving our approach to interactive science communication. This will certainly be influencing our methods, and are looking forward to translating it into an enhanced visitor experience for our own esteemed visitors at Esplora.
