Children are naturally curious and ask questions – science provides answers to some of those questions. The ECFUN website (www.ecfun.eu) was launched on Researchers Day and consists of a number of lectures that have been written by scientists for children to answer some questions children ask.

The main aim of this project is to encourage children to take up science subjects and, later in life, scientific careers. It also aims to remove misconceptions that often portray science and scientists as beyond the reach of most people. The message is that learning about science and scientific careers is possible for all!

There are other science websites on the Internet aimed at children but one of the aspects that makes this one different is that the scientists have provided information about themselves in a brief biography. Through this short CV with personal photos the children can discover something about the writer’s background. This is to show children that scientists are very normal people with normal lives and interests. Maltese scientists have generously contributed to this project – six females and nine males – most of whom are members of staff at the University of Malta.

Another diverse element of the website is that all information is provided in six different European languages: English, Maltese, German, Slovak, Swedish and Polish. This can be used for a variety of purposes including bilingual and multilingual classroom situations and to teach language through the medium of science.

ECFUN is a serious attempt to link scientists who are active in different fields to children in an attempt to encourage young people to appreciate science. The scientists who have contributed to this project have done so in an attempt to popularise science with the hope of encouraging children to take up science subjects at school and, later in life, at university.

Participation in ECFUN gives scientists from all fields the opportunity to communicate with children, aged nine to 12 and older, in different European countries and to interest them in exciting scientific research. This project is a Specific Support Action funded by the European Commission under the 6th Framework Programme. For the partners in the project it was a great opportunity to network with people from other countries. It is this kind of experiences that is one of the aims of such EU projects.