Metaphors are effective tools in tourism promotion, simplifying complex local features for tourists to appreciate. Sustainable tourism, by encouraging responsible habits, allows travelers to engage in environmental conservation while immersing themselves in local cultures. In this context, the primary aim of the research was to seek ways of promoting the unique features of Ban Nong Bua, a Thai village, while addressing global sustainability issues. A further aim was to develop educational material that would make sustainability attractive to local young children and familiarize them with local sustainability practices. During an 8-day stay, a multicultural team conducted action research through observations, interviews and interactions with local people with a focus on sustainable livelihood and tourism promotion. The fieldwork was complemented by regular brainstorming sessions, during which the concepts and plans that led to the final research product were developed based on the material collected and personal experience. The result of the research is the beehive metaphor as a conceptual framework that highlights the harmony and sustainable practices of the local community. The further result of the research is the creation of a booklet for both tourists and local children. On one hand, for tourists, the booklet provides an engaging introduction to the seaside village of Ban Nong Bua, enhancing its appeal as a sustainable destination. It is a complex metaphor that represents the way of life of the inhabitants of the settlement on several levels, such as the close relationship with water, the use of local resources, the division of labor, the high degree of social organization, cohesion and connectedness, or dancing as a specific manifestation of communication. Bees can also be seen as a symbol of sustainability. On the other hand, for local children, it serves as an English language educational tool, fostering an appreciation of sustainable practices through an interactive format. Although the short-term impact of the booklet cannot be measured, the research illustrates how tools such as metaphors can achieve multiple goals in sustainable tourism and sustainability education. The research promotes cross-cultural understanding, supports community sustainability and demonstrates the value of metaphor in tourism promotion. Future research could further explore the use of metaphors in tourism marketing and sustainability education.

This research examines the impact of the project ‘Development of Science Experiential Education Programs and Science Experiential Centres’, implemented by the Mobilis Science Center in Győr between 2017 and 2021. The professional and societal relevance of the program and research lies in the growing importance of STEM disciplines and careers worldwide in recent decades, ensuring a long-term supply of skilled workers. A vital tool for this is the development of curricula that meet the needs of the 21st century, as well as the innovation of teaching methods in science subjects. The research involves a review of the literature on experiential science teaching and subject attitudes, the role of science centers, and relevant project documents. The present research, involving 592 students, focused on attitudes toward technology and science, openness to STEM careers, and the experiences and memories of participants in the student lab theme days. The results of the statistical data analyses confirm the effectiveness of the experiential education methods used in the theme day sessions, as the students’ openness to STEM careers is higher for those who participated in the sessions compared to the non-participants. There are significant differences in the attitudes of girls and boys participating in the program toward science subjects. The results suggest that the success in stimulating interest in science was mainly due to the experiential nature of the sessions. Moreover, the research found that the project led to the strengthening of the participants’ personal and social skills. This study is the first to look at the impact of the project. The results shed light on how teaching STEM subjects using experiential pedagogical methods can contribute to the long-term effectiveness of Széchenyi István University’s enrollment efforts and lead to the economic success of companies in a region facing a significant labor shortage in STEM careers.