Strategic Partner
Polish-American Freedom Foundation
The Polish-American Freedom Foundation has been operating since 2000. In Poland, the Foundation’s programmes focus on rural areas and small towns. The Foundation implements programmes in three main thematic areas: education, local community development and sharing the Polish transition experience with countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
To date, the Foundation has allocated USD 288 million for programme activities. Among other things, this has allowed it to fund more than 22,000 local projects, as well as 35,000 scholarships, training for 200,000 teachers and 35,000 NGO leaders and staff.
The Young Explorer Clubs project in 2002-2005 was funded by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation under the “Equal Opportunities” programme. Its originator and executor was the Kłodzkie Towarzystwo Oświatowe Wolności. As a result, several dozen Young Explorer Clubs were established throughout Poland. Since 2009, the role of coordinator of the Young Explorer’s Clubs has been played by the Copernicus Science Center, and the Polish-American Freedom Foundation has been the strategic partner of this project. In 2012, the Copernicus Science Center concluded an agreement with the Polish-American Freedom Foundation to develop and promote the Young Explorer Clubs initiative. It is the result of several years of partnership cooperation between the two institutions for the benefit of modern education and equal educational opportunities for the younger generation.
Regional Partners
The Youth Astronomical Observatory (MOA)
Lublin Regional Teacher Training Centre
The University of Białystok
The Adam Próchnik Municipal Public Library in Piotrków Trybunalski
International Partners
Mekelle University
Office of the Historian of the City of Havana
Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
The Youth Astronomical Observatory (MOA)
Lesser Poland
The Youth Astronomical Observatory (Polish: Młodzieżowe Obserwatorium Astronomiczne, MOA) was founded in 1964 as the observatory of the Polish Astronomical Society. It is situated 20 km east of Cracow, in the centre of Niepołomice. The Observatory is a unique place where children and young people can discover the mysteries of the world by observing the Sun and stars through telescopes, as well as exploring the technique of astrophotography and discovering the secrets of artificial intelligence through programming robots. The youngest children learn about science while having fun. Older participants can use modern telescopes and measuring instruments. They all share a passion for learning, combined with the expertise of experienced teachers. Teaching includes regular classes for children and young people, training camps and teacher workshops. Additionally, the Observatory popularizes astronomy and science through planetarium shows and live night sky presentations. Being inspired by the universe is the main mission.
Koordynatorka
Koordynatorką współpracy regionalnej programu KMO jest Aleksandra Kowalska, nauczycielka fizyki, matematyki i astronomii. Od lat zajmuje się popularyzacją nauk przyrodniczych. Jest także opiekunką klubu przy MOA w Niepołomicach.
Lublin Regional Teacher Training Centre
Lublin
Lublin Regional Teacher Training Centre is an accredited teacher training institution based in Lublin, with branches in Biała Podlaska, Chełm, and Zamość. It provides a wide range of educational services tailored to the diagnosed needs of the educational community.
The Centre is committed to developing solutions that enhance the quality of teaching, upbringing, and care. Its governing body is the Lubelskie Voivodeship, and it cooperates closely with universities, libraries, and psychological-pedagogical counseling centres.
Each year, between 30,000 and 40,000 teachers and school managers from all types of schools and educational institutions benefit from its diverse educational offer, delivered by teacher-consultants and methodological advisors.
The Centre also implemens numerous projects financed from by European funds.
Coordinator
Ewa Lipska – Early School Education Consultant at LSCDN, educator, mentor of the KMO „Lupka”, homeroom teacher, and early school education teacher, dedicated to nurturing the abilities and talents of younger students.
Coordinator
Kinga Dylawerska-Wójtowicz – Consultant for Physical Education and Health Education at LSCDN, homeroom teacher and Physical Education teacher at a primary school, where she works with sports classes, fostering the development of future generations of athletes.
Coordinator
Ewa Kucharska – Methodological Advisor in Biology for Primary and Secondary Schools at LSCDN, certified court and school mediator, as well as a biology teacher at both high school and technical school levels. She is an educator and advocate for resolving interpersonal conflicts throught mediation. As a graduate of the University of Physical Education, she promotes physical activity, a balanced lifestyle, and healthy living habits.
The University of Białystok
Podlaskie-en
The University of Białystok is the largest university in northeastern Poland, both in terms of staff and students, as well as the programs and forms of instruction offered. The university currently employs nearly 1,300 people, including nearly 800 academic teachers, who work in 15 faculties and the Vilnius Branch. The university educates approximately 9,000 students in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, including doctoral and postgraduate programs. Each year, it conducts dozens of research projects financed by domestic and international funds. It is a regional leader in obtaining grants from the National Science Centre. UwB faculty obtain patents of international significance, collaborate with renowned research centers in Poland and internationally, and participate in global projects. The university conducts research for economic development and actively collaborates with local entrepreneurs. The university participates in the European educational program Erasmus+, collaborating with dozens of partner universities from Europe, Asia, and the United States. Under the MOST Program, UwB students have the opportunity to expand their scientific interests by pursuing semester- or year-long studies outside their home institution at selected academic centers in Poland. The university collaborates closely with schools and teachers and undertakes a range of activities to popularize science. The university campus is home to the Jerzy Giedroyc University Library, the Planetarium and Observatory, and the Professor Andrzej Myrcha University Center for Natural Sciences.
Coordinator
Anna Rybak holds a PhD in pedagogy, is a mathematician, and computer scientist. She is the coordinator of the Center for Creative Learning in Mathematics, operating within the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Białystok. She has extensive teaching experience, having worked for many years as a mathematics and computer science teacher. Currently, she maintains close contact with the school community, conducting classes for students and teachers as part of the Center's work, as well as classes in mathematics education for students – future mathematics teachers. Her research focuses on the effectiveness of information and communication technology-enhanced learning. Her teaching is based on the theory of constructivist learning, which leads students to independently construct knowledge through their own research.
Coordinator
Alina Stankiewicz holds a PhD in biological sciences in the field of biology teaching. Her research interests focus on the didactic transformation of biological content and ways of making it available to students at various levels of education, as well as on the problems of improving the biology teaching process in primary and secondary schools and educating students who will be future biology teachers.
The Adam Próchnik Municipal Public Library in Piotrków Trybunalski
Łódź
The Adam Próchnik Municipal Public Library in Piotrków Trybunalski is a cultural institution established in 1923 and housed in the modern 800th Anniversary Media Library building since 2019. Its collection totals nearly 325,000 books, periodicals and special collections. The Media Library hosts numerous cultural events promoting the library and reading, as well as artists through exhibitions and varnishing days.
The activities of the Young Explorer Club’s Regional Partner are carried out by the Innovative Center of Science and Technology, which manages the SOWA – Area of Imagination, Discovery and Activity and coordinates educational activities. The ICST offers innovative activities for organized groups using original scenarios, covering topics in nature, physics, chemistry, computer science, robotics, 3D printing, and construction. The department also runs two Young Explorer Clubs: “Cat with Glasses” and “MediaSAT,” which participate in various projects and competitions. Furthermore, the Media Library offers workshops and events in space education led by the ESERO-Polska Space Education Ambassador. The partner’s activities are aimed at both club members and YEC supervisors.
Coordinator
Blanka Cecota is the head of the Innovative Center of Science and Technology at the Adam Próchnik Municipal Public Library in Piotrków Trybunalski, an ESERO-Polska Space Education Ambassador, and the coordinator of the Piotrków Trybunalski Space Education Association (SOWA Piotrków Trybunalski – Area of Imagination, Discovery and Activity and Thinkatorium). She is the mentor of two Young Explorer Clubs: the „MediaSAT” Young Explorer Club and the „Cat with Glasses” Young Explorer Club. She holds a Master's degree in technical physics and postgraduate studies in pedagogy and biomedical image processing and analysis. She develops lessons scripts, implements projects, and organizes and executes scientific events. Her primary goal is to popularize science in an accessible and engaging way, allowing children, young people and adults to explore the wonders of physics and science.
Mekelle University
Etiopia
Mekelle University is a higher education and training public institution located in Mekelle, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, 783 kilometers north of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. Mekelle University is one of the largest public universities in Ethiopia. It has seven colleges, eleven institutes, and more than 90 undergraduate and 70 postgraduate programs. The student intake capacity of Mekelle University has reached 31,000 or 10% of Mekelle’s population.
Koordynator
Ashenafi Teklehaimanot Gebru, mathematician, economist, graduate of Hawassa University and Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Graduate assistant in Mekelle University in the department of Mathematics, coordinator of STEM Education Center in Mekelle University, coordinator and partner of the YEC program in Mekelle University.
Office of the Historian of the City of Havana
Kuba
The Office of the Historian of the City of Havana, (OHCH), founded in 1938, is the Cuban entity in charge of rescuing the historical, natural and socio-cultural values of Havana, with emphasis on its Historic Center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
Since 2024 OHCH is a coordinator of the YEC program in Cuba.
Koordynator
Michael González Sánchez – Historian and art historian, university lecturer, researcher, Head of International Cooperation Direction of OHCH, responsible for the YEC program in Cuba.
Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Ukraina
Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (JASU) – the UNESCO Center for Science Education – is a national organization that engages over 250,000 students from all regions of Ukraine in research and innovation. JASU empowers young people to explore science through hands-on learning, creative projects, and participation in national and international competitions and summer schools. At the same time, JASU supports educators with professional development opportunities, including training programs, methodological resources, and ongoing expert guidance. Since 2024, JASU has become a partner in the Young Explorers’ Clubs initiative, working together with the Ternopil Science Center and Lviv Open Lab to expand access to innovative STEAM opportunities for students across Ukraine. By uniting curious learners and dedicated educators, JASU is building a vibrant, future-focused community that advances high-quality science and technology education nationwide.
Koordynatorka
Alona Ivzhenko - head of the International Education Projects Department at the National Center “Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”. Coordinator for partner relations of the “Young Explorer`s Club” program in Ukraine.
Koordynatorka
Oksana Merezhynska - methodologist at the National Center “Junior Academy of Sciences”, coordinator of international educational projects. Coordinator of mentor engagement for the “Young Explorer`s Club ” program in Ukraine.