Our methodology:
The DESIRE project based its results on data collected from stakeholders (project managers, science communicators, advisors of policy makers, and teachers) involved in 31 national and European STEM education projects. The data was collected through questionnaires and discussion events (like this online discussion event, or using Google Hangouts, or face-to-face) from stakeholders participating in research and innovation projects funded by the European Commission (7th Framework Programme, Lifelong Learning Programme, etc.) or by other institutions, such as Ministries of Education of different countries, public or private organizations or societies.

Some research outcomes of the DESIRE project:
Half of the most engaged and active STEM teachers in Europe (n=105) who have participated in European or national research projects involved in the DESIRE project feel that they do not receive enough information about the outcomes from European and national STEM education projects. We can assume that STEM teachers who do not usually participate in funded projects receive much less information on projects’ outcomes or do not receive any information at all, since they have neither direct network nor direct connections to research or innovation projects.

Similarly, around two thirds of project managers (n=26) consider that they do not receive much information about the outcomes from European, international or national projects.

More than half of policy makers (n=15) also have the perception that they do not receive enough information on European projects’ outcomes.

The role of the DESIRE Reach Out Toolkit:
After analysing several obstacles and facilitators to promote more effective dissemination and exploitation of STEM education project outcomes among stakeholders, the DESIRE Reach Out Toolkit has taken these research outcomes into account to provide information and tools on how to plan and implement dissemination and exploitation strategies.

Your feedback:
These research results are summarised in pages 10-14 of the DESIRE Reach Out Toolkit. What is your opinion on the research study carried out in the DESIRE project? What reflections do its outcomes suggest to you as researcher or manager of STEM education projects?

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Hi Didier,

I definitely think that networking with other project managers is a good way to keep informed of many projects' outcomes going on, and to start new collaborations. An an example, the recent event held in Antalya (Turkey) 'IOSTE Eurasian Regional Symposium & Brokerage Event Horizon 2020' must have facilitated exchange and further relationships among managers of different projects funded by the 7th FP. In fact, Peter Gray was one of the invited keynote speakers. He is one of the coordinators of ProCoNet, a group which currently comprises the coordinators of EU FP7 projects in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Education, together with colleagues from similar projects funded from other sources. The group tries to meet to discuss matters of mutual concern in the widespread dissemination of inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE).

As highlighted in the DESIRE Reach Out Toolkit (p.32), many professional networks and associations such as ESERA or NARST already exist to help project managers, researchers and teachers to communicate their works and outcomes and to facilitate exchange and collaboration. In the conferences organized by these associations, outcomes from projects funded by EU, national or local bodies are usually presented and that is why many project managers consider that international or national conferences "still play a key role in our
(STEM education) community"