Ecsite member Copernicus Science Centre have already witnessed the huge impact of the arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Ukraine. Here is a glimpse of some of the activities they have already started in order to support the Ukrainian people.

In Copernicus itself

Ukrainian citizens can visit Copernicus for free. The language barrier is not important – their exhibits are intuitive and do not require instructions. They are great for children of all ages, can give them joy and make them forget for a moment about the cruelty of war, at least for a while. Up to 6 March, they had already been visited by 2,822 guests from Ukraine. Free entry also applies to the Planetarium. They have four shows available in a Ukrainian language version, including "Polaris" – a children’s favorurite. They are also planning Ukrainian mornings at the Planetarium.

Support networks

The Young Explorer's Club regional partners in Poland (who support the clubs along with Copernicus on a daily basis) are now providing essential support for refugees. All institutions are trying to help employees and students from Ukraine, organise fund-raisers and charity concerts.

The Olsztyn Teacher Education Centre prepared a webinar for teachers. Wrocław University of Technology invites students wo had to interrupt their studies in Ukraine. The University of Białystok and the Higher School of Banking in Gdańsk provide free legal counseling to refugees. The State Higher Vocational School in Chełm runs classes for Ukrainian children and youth, prepares translations into Ukrainian, and organises trips to the border to get refugees from Dorohusk, Zosin and Dołhobyczów.

Ukrainian partners

In Ukraine, Copernicus has cooperated in the organisation of science picnics, they supported the building of the Young Explorer's Club community. Before the war, there were 45 clubs in Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kiev, Odessa, Ternopil and Lviv. The Young Explorer's community network in Ukraine is coordinated by a consortium of two institutions: Lviv Open Lab and the Tarnopol Science Center. They have both become crisis centres. They help civilians and distribute trustworthy information about the current situation in the wartime reality.