Science in society

The EU-funded iTEC project is integrating technology into the classroom. Image courtesy of iTEC

ict | science in society

26 May 2014

Transforming education with digital technology

Researchers are using smartphones and tablet computers to transform classrooms across Europe.

The EU-funded SiS Catalyst project is getting children to participate in shaping the way they learn. ©Shutterstock/ Olesya Feketa

science in society

21 May 2014

Children’s universities to help shape the way we teach

On some streets in Europe, eight out of 10 children go to university, while in others it’s fewer than eight in 100. That’s according to an EU project which aims to reverse this trend by encouraging institutions to set up children’s universities and get young people to help change the way science is taught.

Research shows that the two languages of bilingual children interact. © Shutterstock/ Monkey Business Images

science in society

19 May 2014

Why some bilingual children may do better than others at school

Some bilingual children could find it harder to keep up than others, researchers believe, because one language can affect the other.

Anne-Marie Imafidon, the founder of Stemettes, believes that promoting female role models and celebrating their achievements is one way to change attitudes.

interview | science in society | women in science

12 May 2014

Attitudes must change to get more girls to study science – Anne-Marie Imafidon

If more girls are to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects at university, then attitudes among parents and society at large must change – that’s according to Anne-Marie Imafidon, a speaker at the EU’s Innovation Convention in March 2014. She passed an A level in computing aged 11, and at 20, she obtained a master’s degree. She is the founder of Stemettes, an organisation which encourages girls to get into STEM subjects by connecting them with women working in the field.

The CHESS system allows people to look inside an Ariane space rocket.

ict | science in society | horizon 2020

07 March 2014

Bringing museums to life

Manoeuvring a satellite into its housing inside an Ariane space launcher is almost as difficult as rearranging the order of the planets that orbit around the sun.

The first pan-European network for security services will help police forces, fire services and border agencies share new ideas and technology. © Shutterstock/Anton Balazh

horizon 2020 | science in society

20 February 2014

Sharing know-how to make us safer

The first pan-European online network to help security organisations innovate could enable police forces to hunt down social media stalkers more effectively, and also allow customs officials to verify passports faster.

The technology required to navigate automated vehicles is becoming cheaper and more reliable. Image courtesy of CityMobil2.

transport | science in society

20 January 2014

Driverless taxis in European cities from 2014

Driverless taxis will be carrying passengers during demonstration projects in five European cities as of February 2014.

The Nao robot shown here is being developed by Aldebaran Robotics. © Ed Alcock 2013

science in society | ict

16 December 2013

Integrating smart robots into society

Should we have special laws to govern robots? The question isn’t being debated in parliaments and newspaper columns yet, but robots currently under development are becoming so astute at learning to interact like humans that it’s only a matter of time.

Increasingly, bacteria are becoming resistant, undermining the effectiveness of antibiotics (shown here), causing some 25 000 deaths each year and over EUR 1.5 billion in healthcare costs. © Shutterstock/ Nikita G. Sidorov

health | science in society

20 November 2013

Fewer antibiotics used as public awareness of resistance grows

Fewer people are taking antibiotics in Europe, according to a survey published by the European Commission, as the fight against drug-resistant bacteria intensifies.

The MOBI-KIDS study is interviewing thousands of young people to work out if there is a link between mobile phone use and brain cancer in children. © Shutterstock/ wrangler

health | science in society

20 November 2013

Thousands being interviewed in mobile phone brain cancer study

Thousands of young people are being interviewed as the EU backs the largest study in the world into the links between mobile phone use and brain cancer in children.