countries involved unanimously affirmed their wish to continue the cooperation. all participants stressed the importance of regular european festivals as the flagship of the european science on stage activities. alternative funding would be sought for the festivals. in october 2008, the first of these alternatively funded science on stage festivals took place at urania in berlin, organised by science on stage germany and sponsored by think ing., an initiative of the federation of german employers‘ associations in the metal and electrical engineering industries. the second alternatively funded european science on stage festival took place from 16–19 april 2011 at the ørestad gymnasium in copenhagen under the motto “science teaching: winning hearts and minds”. it was funded by the danish ministry of education and organised by danish science communication and the science on stage europe office. the next science on stage festival will take place from 25–28 april 2013 in slubice and frankfurt/oder at the german-polish border. for the first time, the festival will be organised by two countries, represented by the adam mickiewicz university in poland and science on stage germany, under the motto “crossing borders in science teaching”. 350 science teachers from across europe will present their most innovative teaching ideas, workshops and performances. participants are chosen at competitive national events or processes in each country involved.