Importance and challenges of research cooperations between secondary schools and universities - using the example of the project "My heart and I - togehter healthy"

Introduction: “Sparkling Science” is a programme of the Austrian ministry of science
and research, which aims to establish networks between secondary schools and
research institutions in order to increase the interest of adolescents in science.
Objectives: The aim of the Sparkling science project “My heart and I – together
healthy” –a two-year project of the FH Burgenland in cooperation with the Ecole
HBLW Güssing – was to raise health consciousness of pupils in a secondary school
and to offer them an opportunity to gain an insight into health promotion and social
sciences.
Methods: The didactic concept on which the project was based on is the
constructivist didactics. In particular innovative learning methods like peer group
teaching were used.
Results: During the project researchers and pupils together set different scientific
and health promoting activities: In order to develop research competencies of adults
pupils conducted a quantitative online survey concerning smoking. In addition they
carried out telephone interviews within the evaluation of an actual project concerning
heart health in Austria and prepared scientific works. In a next step pupils, teachers
and researchers planned, organized and implemented health promotion projects at
school like creating the school cafeteria healthier. Another project was “3.000 steps
more” which aimed at improving physical activity behaviour of teachers and pupils.
Conclusions: Besides the cooperation between the secondary school and the
university also other organizations were part of the project. This broad cooperation lead to many synergies but also challenges, which have to be met at organizational
and political level.