The Astra Mass Experiment – Denmark

The climate and nature crisis places new demands on future generations. It is crucial that children and young people not only build up knowledge of environmental and climate issues, but also develop the skills and motivation to contribute to solutions. This year, the prize focuses on initiatives that educate children and young people about environmental and climate issues. With its ‘Mass Experiment’, the Danish National Centre for Science Education (Astra) has devised a model that not only teaches children and young people about the environment and climate but also provides them with the opportunity to play their part in generating new knowledge about the issues involved. For the last 17 years, Astra has been engaging more than 30,000 children and young people p.a. in authentic research via the Mass Experiment, a unique ‘student citizen science’ initiative as part of which they work with scientists on real research projects. The strength of the Mass Experiment lies in the fact that children and young people play active roles in the process of studying and understanding current environmental and climate challenges. They are involved in practical studies and use scientific methods to collect data, analyse results and contribute to scientifically and socially useful research, fostering knowledge, engagement and the ability to take action. The experiment gives children and young people practical experience of how scientific knowledge is generated and applied, while improving their understanding of nature, the climate and sustainability. This combination of research, teaching and social engagement has made the Mass Experiment a source of inspiration in Denmark and beyond. It boosts future generations’ ability to understand and tackle the environmental and climate challenges facing the Nordic countries. The close co-operation on this initiative also has great potential to enhance the scientific literacy and environmental engagement of children and young people throughout the Nordic Region.