In the contemporary context of open science communication, the need for inclusive, participatory and community-oriented models of knowledge creation and sharing is increasingly emphasized (European Commission, 2020; UNESCO, 2021). Schools are increasingly recognized as important stakeholders in open science because they enable the development of scientific, information and digital literacy and responsible participation in the creation of knowledge from an early age (UNESCO, 2021). Citizen science, which involves the active participation of citizens in collecting data, interpreting results and creating knowledge, represents an important link between education, open science and science communication (Bonney et al., 2016). Despite this, local cultural heritage, especially in smaller and less represented regions such as Moslavina , often remains insufficiently researched, documented and publicly accessible.

This paper presents a project Exploring the Unknown Heritage of Moslavina: Students as Researchers and Contributors to Open Knowledge that integrates the principles of open science into the primary school context, positioning students as active participants in the research and dissemination of locally relevant knowledge.The project was carried out in collaboration with the school library, teachers, the local community and a local ethnologist. The school library played a key role in developing students’ information literacy, providing research support, evaluating information sources and disseminating project results.

The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the potential of primary education as a platform for developing the competencies needed to participate in open scientific communication, while simultaneously raising awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The project is implemented through an interdisciplinary and extracurricular approach and is theoretically based on constructivist and participatory learning models that emphasize the active role of students, collaboration, and learning in an authentic context . Additionally, the project is based on the principles of open education and open science, with an emphasis on accessibility, transparency and the possibility of reusing knowledge.

The methodological framework encompasses project-based, research-based and experiential learning. Sixteen students conduct field research focused on various aspects of local heritage, including traditional architecture, folk costumes, lifestyle, music and customs. Data is collected through observation, photography, recording and interviews with members of the local community. The collected materials are then analyzed, interpreted, structured and in the final phase, published in openly accessible digital formats, this becoming part of a wider, publicly accessible body of knowledge.

The results indicate a significant educational and social impact of the project. Students develop key competences, including communication and research skills, critical thinking and digital literacy . At the same time, the project contributes to the development of a sense of responsibility towards local cultural heritage and strengthens students’ identity awareness. At the community level, the project encourages intergenerational cooperation, knowledge exchange and the active involvement of local stakeholders in the educational process.

The special value of the project is reflected in the increased visibility and preservation of lesser-known elements of Moslavina’s heritage. By openly sharing the collected content, the project actively contributes to the development of open scientific communication and enables its further use for educational and research purposes. In conclusion, the work confirms that primary schools can have an important and so far underutilized role in the development of sustainable, inclusive and socially relevant models of open science.