ABSTRACT
Open Schooling is an initiative of the European Union (EU) that can encourage science students to see how real science is applied in practice outside of school. In this way, students better understand how science is applied in real life. In this approach, schools co-design programs with out-of-school learning settings, research institutions, civic society institutions, and industry. The essay presents the design features of this approach along with examples of Open Science Schooling. Open Schooling has been assessed by focusing on three areas of school innovation: school management, school process, and teachers' professional development. Data from 316 schools demonstrate that the introduction of Open Schooling produced a significant impact on the innovation levels of the participating schools, showing a successful diffusion of innovation in school settings. These results meet the expectations of the EU Policy document “Science Education for Responsible Citizenship” where collaboration between formal and informal education is encouraged, in order to increase science studies and science-based careers. Open Schooling demonstrates how formal schooling and informal learning experiences can complement and strengthen each other. The essay describes how these cooperation efforts can act as incubators and accelerators for school innovation.
