The European initiative DOIT, led by Salzburg Research, aims to inspire children and young people between the ages of six and 16 to tackle social problems. The first several-week pilot phase of a learning offer in the afternoon care of the VS of the Franciscan nuns in Salzburg came to its due conclusion in January.

“DOIT – Entrepreneurial skills for young social innovators in an open digital world”: The project, under the direction of Salzburg Research, aims to inspire students (6-16 years) for social innovation and to communicate entrepreneurial thinking, know-how and skills. From October 2018 to January 2019, the first pilot phase of the learning offer took place during the afternoon care of the VS of the Franciscan Sisters in Salzburg. The children developed concrete ideas and solutions for their school around the topic “fit in the winter” (“Stay healthy, stay safe, stay fit”). On 15 January, the developed models, prototypes and products were presented to the parents, teachers and all other interested parties.

“The results show that even younger children recognize very well which challenges exist in their immediate environment and that they can develop creative, convincing solutions – if you get involved and make this possible”, explains Sandra Schön, coordinator of the Europe-wide research project. “With adults of different backgrounds, the children worked on prototypes on a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary basis; also with digital tools, especially willingly with LED. In a next step, we will evaluate the observations and data from the pilot project in our accompanying research.“ The practice pilot in Salzburg thus supports the creative development, testing and evaluation of DOIT materials that support the further development of children in the field of social innovation as well as entrepreneurial thinking and acting.

Creative Ideas for Improving the School

Together with the General Accident Insurance AUVA children’s initiative identified danger spots on the school grounds, for example, and sought concrete solutions. The children proudly presented the results on the basis of miniature models in the context of an exhibition: a slippery staircase is made safer by anti-slip mats and on each floor there is a plastering machine, which provides patches and disinfectants as needed. The school stage in the auditorium, which has often been a stumbling block, is provided with lights and adhesive strips that signal the proximity to the end of the stage. The children are determined to implement some of the ideas they have developed.

The muesli bar, which was specially designed for the school, was presented with particular pride at the self-made sales stall: Not only the taste, logo and slogan were developed by the children themselves, but also various forms were designed using 3D printing and the possible shapes were printed and presented. The highlight was the self-made marketing video and it is already planned to make the so called “chocolate power” for the next school event.

The research project is funded by the European Union in the Horizon 2020 program (grant number 770063). A heartfelt thank you also goes to the VS of the Franciscans, the employees of AUVA, the employee of GTS and the supporting parents.

Project website: www.doit-europe.net