Scientific phenomena impacting our lives are often very complex, and the information available on them is confusing. This weakens citizens' possibilities for informed decision-making. The multidisciplinary FINSCI project responds to this challenge by studying science capital and its underlying factors among Finnish children and their families, students at different education levels, and adult citizens. The project also creates new knowledge on the affective and neurocognitive mechanisms underpinning science literacy and successful decision-making. The learning materials and science teaching methods developed in the project in collaboration with teachers have proven to be very promising in fostering science capital and supporting the development of science literacy. Research conducted in co-creation activities with underserved populations organized by science centers helps to identify factors affecting science equity and to develop policies and practices for improving it.

2023

2026