Democs
Sciencewise-ERC funded project 2005-2006
Background
Democs is part card game, part policy-making tool that enables small groups of people to engage with complex public policy issues. It aims to help people find out about a topic, express their views, seek common ground with the other participants, and state their preferred policy position from a given choice of four. Find out more about the project background.
Aims and Objectives
- Develop the adult version of the Democs board game into one that could be specifically used by schools.
- Develop and refine training in facilitating Democs for professionals who work with young people.
- Enhance the ability of students to understand and discuss sensitive and complex scientific issues.
Delivered By
nef (the new economics foundation)
nef is is an independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being.
Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University
CSE is a research and business development unit specialising in the STEM subjects, but in particular, science.
Latest Status Updates
This project is now complete. Find out more to the right.
Find Out More
Key Impacts
- Students responded well to complex science.
- Teachers acquired group facilitation skills.
- Hard to reach groups were engaged.
Resources
Project Quotes
“The world I look forward to living in is one where people can learn and talk to each other in a local setting about issues of policy new to them, enabling them to make more informed choices about things which affect them. Ideally their captured views would feed into policy.”Perry Walker, nef
“We touched on issues that we personally as a group wouldn’t otherwise have discussed. I heard and expressed opinions that wouldn’t have been shared.”Quote from a student