The initiative aims to improve science teaching across Europe, to train more young people in science and encourage interest in scientific careers. It is an important part of improving Europe’s economic position in coming years, as more researchers are needed to drive innovation.

Xplora provides resources for primary and secondary education and is aimed at teachers, pupils, scientists, communication professionals and others involved in science education. Xplora has been developed with funds from the Science and Society action of the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Development.

Key new features in the Xplora gateway include up-to-date information and news about science education, a fully searchable standards-based database of digital learning resources for science education and a Megalab giving insight into innovative practical science approaches and projects.

As the European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik recently stated during an internet chat with schools from 10 EU countries, “Research and science start with curiosity. School should be about encouraging this curiosity in children. I think this is crucial to encouraging more young people to choose a research career”.

The project that has developed Xplora – known as Pencil – is unique in bringing together science education experts in formal and informal teaching methods to develop innovative approaches and materials that raise pupils’ interest, knowledge and motivation.

PENCIL involves more than 13 scientific institutions, and is part of the wider Nucleus framework, a cluster of science education projects involving Europe’s major research laboratories, such as CERN and the European Space Agency.

The patrons of the Xplora portal are Professor Benoit Mandelbrot, the eminent mathematician who discovered fractals and Ray Kurzweill, a leading expert in artificial intelligence.

In addition, Xplora has set up content partnerships with other science institutions and organisations. The portal is supported by a team of specialist science teachers from across Europe, who ensure that the content is of good quality and relevance and propose activities, resources and content.