The post-modern society claims uncompromisingly the necessity to complement formal education with the informal and non-formal one, by initiating and conducting trans- and inter-disciplinary education and extra-curricular activities, in various forms. In this context, non-formal education is reflected as an essential component of lifelong learning that capitalizes educational partnerships with the view to develop students’ competences and skills, more oriented on understanding the real world and involving practical settings.
Non-formal education activities are mainly proposed in out-of-school institutions and environments as museums, science centers, libraries, student-clubs etc. responding in this way to the actual societal demands related to science, research, innovation or development, with major implications and importance at community and individual levels.
Like other actors involved in non-formal education, the museums play an active role, by supporting the learning through direct involvement of the participants in the discovery process. In fact, the museum exhibition is the most common exposure form of the information that offers educational valences, an educational alternative that complements previously acquired information in formal education, becoming in this sense a trans-disciplinary teaching resource. Through exhibitions, the museum represents an important learning environment for all those interested in science.
In this respect, the Community of Learners of the IRRESISTIBLE Project, has opened – starting with August the 1st - the exhibition entitled “The World of Nanomaterials and Solar Energy”, trying to promote also the importance of Responsible Research and Innovation and its dimensions in Nanoscience, with particular reference to Solar Energy, an important sector with big impact on sustainable development. In the “Simeza Hall” of the History Museum of Dâmboviţa County, in the heart of the historical city of Târgovişte, there are exposed images and layout demonstrations representing the main characteristics of nanomaterials and their applications in various areas (chemistry, physics, biology and solar energy). All the exhibits represent mainly the result of the students involved in the formal and non-formal activities proposed in the IRRESISTIBLE project, but also the outputs of the collaboration between the members of the Romanian Community of Learners - staff and researchers from Valahia University Târgovişte, science teachers and museum staff from Dâmboviţa and Prahova Counties.
Left: The exhibition is organized in the “Simeza Hall” of the History Museum. Middle: The poster of the exhibition. Right: Responsible Research and Innovation in the eyes of young students.
Left: The evolution of Solar cells - from siliceous to nanoparticles. Middle: A stand that illustrates some applications of Solar cells. Right: Interactive applications of Solar cells.
