NEWS

THE NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS, REPRESENTED BY THE LABORATORY OF CLIMATOLOGY AND ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND GEOENVIRONMENT, RENEWED ITS MEMBERSHIP TO THE COPERNICUS ACADEMY NETWORK

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, represented by the Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment of the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, renewed its membership to the Copernicus Academy Network

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UOA), represented by the Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment (LACAE) of the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, renewed for 2018 its status as a member of the European Network “Copernicus Academy”.

The Copernicus Academy network is an initiative of the European Commission aiming to attract new users for the Copernicus data and services. Copernicus is the European Union's Earth Observation Programme, looking at our planet and its environment for the ultimate benefit of all European citizens. It offers information services based on satellite Earth Observation (the so-called Sentinels) and in situ (non-space) data.

The Copernicus Academy aims to connect European Universities and Research Institutions, to empower the next generation of researchers with suitable skills to use Copernicus data and services to their full potential. To achieve these goals, Copernicus Academy works towards developing dedicated lectures, training sessions, traineeships as well as educational and training material.

To fulfill the goals of Copernicus Academy in Greece, LACAE has set up and operates the Copernicus Network of Hellenic Partners (CAN-HelP) in collaboration with the National Observatory of Athens, with the aim to contribute in the development of information and education structures regarding Copernicus. CAN-HelP is a continuously evolving structure of UOA that welcomes new members who can contribute to this effort. For the time being, it is actively supported by the following Institutions:

  • Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment of UOA (LACAE – coordinator)
  • National Observatory of Athens
  • University of Peloponnese
  • Greek GEO office
  • FORTH/PRAXI Network

LACAE and the CAN-HelP consortium, acting as ambassadors for the Copernicus program in Greece, participate in major public science festivals (Researcher’s night, Athens Science Festival) with the goal to raise public awareness regarding the benefits and opportunities offered by Copernicus to the European citizens.

Last but not least, LACAE and the CAN-HelP consortium have designed and implemented an original educational program aiming to attract schoolchildren' interest in the modern field of Earth Observation, in a playful, interactive and cognitive way. The educational program has been approved by the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP) of the Greek Ministry of Education and has been successfully piloted in several schools in the country.

For more information please visit:

  • The Copernicus Academy webpage:

http://copernicus.eu/main/copernicus-academy  The  CAN-HelP (Copernicus Academy Network of Hellenic Partners) consortium: https://www.facebook.com/CopernicusAcademyNetworkHellenicPartners/ The website of LACAE: http://lacae.geol.uoa.gr/en/home-page/

 

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