Cycle 2,462 km for STEAM education in Romania

Emil Centiu is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, I'm Emil, and I'm dedicated to advancing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) education in Romania. Over the past few years, I've witnessed the transformative power of education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. However, I've also seen the significant gaps in resources and opportunities available to students in Romania, especially in underprivileged areas.

This is why I've embarked on a mission to bridge this gap by cycling across Europe, through 10 countries, to raise funds for the biggest national science festival in the country. The Romanian Science Festival (RSF) is the first national science festival, a dynamic initiative aiming to foster a love for STEAM subjects among young people in Romania. Through various projects including in-person events, festivals, mentorship programs, and online activities, RSF seeks to ignite curiosity and passion for lifelong learning in science.

My mission is to raise money for Romanian Science Festival. I will depart from London, Trafalgar Square (feel free to come and support me!) and will cycle through 10 European countries. After 2 - 3 long weeks, I will get to Pitesti, Arges. I will share regular updates about my location and how the journey is going.

This is the plan so far:

- I will depart from London, Trafalgar Square around 30th August

- I will cycle across 10 countries: UK, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania

- Volunteers from RSF will help me book hostels on the same day and help me plan where to get food and water

- I aim to take the Transfagarasan route and get to Pitesti on the 17th of September

- A GPS tracker will be by my side at all times, as I will be going solo. However, if you happen to be around the place I pass by, feel free to let my team now! I'd be very happy to meet other RSF mentors or collaborators and take a nice picture together!

- Once I get to Romania, I will ask my family and friends to cycle with me. If anyone would like to join, please let my team know!

To see live updates of the planning beforehand and the journey itself, or to get in touch with my team, follow the links below, or click the `Contact` button on this page!

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RSF addresses the lack of engagement and interest in STEAM disciplines among Romanian children and youth. The solution proposed involves providing role models such as students, researchers, and professionals from the Romanian academic diaspora who serve as mentors by offering their time and skill pro bono. These mentors interact with children and schools nationwide, sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

Beneficiaries of RSF include young people from diverse backgrounds, particularly those in underrepresented communities and regions of Romania. The expected results include increased interest and participation in STEAM subjects, as well as greater accessibility to scientific resources and opportunities.

Through these efforts, since its launch in 2019, RSF has reached over 133,000 young people through in-person events and engaged with more than 200 schools through online sessions.

RSF is currently taking place in 5 counties in Romania: Argeș, Maramureș, Timiș and, for the first time this year, Iași and Cluj. In each county, we organise a 4-5 week online mentoring programme, in which registered students learn science and prepare the scientific content of the festival with RSF mentors. The mentoring programme is followed by a 3-4 day RSF festival in multiple cities and municipalities.

Highlights from 2023:

We were present in 10 locations: Jimbolia, Lugoj, Timisoara, Mioveni, Rucar, Campulung Muscel, Pitesti, Sighetu Marmatiei, Breb and Baia Mare.
We prepared 450 experiments.
We worked with 2500 volunteers who are school-age children, teenagers and teachers.
Argeș County had more than 18,000 participants - the largest science festival ever organized in Romania.
In Rucăr, Argeș, more than 1,000 people took part, almost 20% of the commune's population.
In Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș, we had over 3000 participants, about 10% of the town's population.

We introduced for the first time art and music together with science. We also had the first big sciart exhibition, BioArt Revolution, part of the Timisoara European Capital of Culture programme.

How will we use the money? Here are a few examples:

Buy the necessary materials for the experiments. The vast majority of the participants have never done a science experiment in their life. RSF is their first opportunity for hands-on science experiments.
Sponsor a discipline stand. At each festival, we have between 20-40 stands, each dedicated to one discipline, where mentors, students and teachers create science experiments.
Sponsor a rural RSF Caravan. In Romania, half of the children live and study in villages and towns. The opportunities are considerably reduced compared with the opportunities from a big city. That is why at RSF we are aiming for 30-50% participation from among this category of children.
Sponsor a mentor by providing money for transport and accommodation during the festival. Many of our mentors are PhD students from the academic diaspora. They also have limited financial resources but with generous hearts. Help them come back home to make a difference in the educational communities.

With continued pro-bono support and involvement from mentors, RSF aims to inspire a new generation of scientists in Romania.

Please share the fundraisers with your friends and help us make a difference in STEAM education in Romania.

Have a look at what RSF means: