What is the objective of the project work?

To create a laboratory path for young people applying different methodologies together: Art+Science+Technology. The aim is to stimulate creativity in young people (a different way of tackling emerging issues for society).

Role of the tutor: a tutor/Youth Worker is a person in charge to facilitate organization and teamwork, pedagogical and “networking” support (What can realistically be activated in terms of collaborations with other organizations in the same area? What materials and tools can the organization provide for young people?) The Youth Worker supports on correct application of the PERSE specific approach and puts in contact the group with other experts from the fields involved in the pop-up lab.

Youth Workers are free to organize the work with young people as they prefer (face-to-face, distance, hybrid…) and create working groups of any size.

The working groups are also supposed to work independently (without tutors) -> homework

STRUCTURE OF THE POP UP LAB

Definition of Target 

Describe the group who will be the hypothetical beneficiaries of the course being created; e.g. young people 15-18 y.o. 18-25 y.o. etc. 

And explain why you chose this target group.

Expected impact on the target

Foster creativity and imagine which could be the impact of the pop up lab on your target group, since the beginning.

Number of modules and duration 

It’s very importnat to take under consideration the duration indicated in the toolbox for every step. Then adapt it to your own context, trying to forsee any unpredictable event (characteristics of material, presence of people with some difficulties in the group, weather conditions and so on):

Expected output of the path

Test the pop up lab before you invite other participants, write notes about every detail in the experiment and take pictuers of every step, especially the final result.

What will the young people involved create? (a plastic model, a video, cards…)

Standard basic structure of the laboratories path

1st module: introduction to the topic by using non-formal/informal methods (e.g. videos, urban walk, visit to museums etc.); explain how you think to introduce the chosen topic to the participants; explain how to involve them in it and stimulate their interest and critical thinking

2nd to second to last module: activities (they should take inspiration from the previous lessons of the course)

Last module: how do young people put together the results of their laboratories path? (can be a hypothetical theatre performance, a dance, a video etc.)

Good tips

Key word: FREEDOM and no instructions

Leave youth people free to experiment and not tying them to a specific output (but of course they have to remain in the framework of the project); autonomous work is very welcome and remember: there is not only one right solution to a problem!

Materials:

Check the list of materials before the day you’ll meet young people, divide them in little groups before, so that you’ll have them ready while you proceed step by step.

All the materials you suggest to participants have to be very easy to find and possibly selected among daily-use objects to be transformed.

Learning environment:

Create a playful and comfortable learning environment, wher you can display all the materials in a catchy a coloured way, with common tools easy to access.

Try to reserve a corner with comfortable sits in case someone feels overstressed at any time and needs a pause from the activity.

Prefer a tables display in a circular shape or in little groups to encourage exchange and conversation. Silence is not a good sign in these labs.

Then enjoy all the way to the final result!