Why do RECs matter?

What is a REC?

A REC is a Research and Education Cooperation project where schools, research institutions and businesses collaborate for mutual benefit.

Hands on - minds on learing

We think that the best RECs we found were those that used hands on activities based on real life science problems and applications. Typically they did not set up fixed outcomes, but allowed children to explore and discover. This is what we mean by "Hands on-minds on" learning. RECs can be a new dynamic way to look for creative 'out of the box' science applications to make fast local improvement count as we search for solutions that combine science and economy in resolving the environmental and social challenges ahead.

Win win win

We found that good quality projects had a "Win-Win-Win" outcome, whereby all 3 components of the REC – schools, researchers and enterprise– gain knowledge and competencies from the partnership.

“A Bunch of Flowers” – examples of good practice

The Form-It consortium produced a model for good practice based on national surveys of RECs in the participating countries. that was then used to select examples of the most innovative and effective RECs in each country. These examples are like a bunch of flowers.