Science Fictions: Inquiries into the future of science education

Description

The many imagined worlds of Science Fiction provide the inspiration for the title of this conference, and remind us that prediction is dangerous but complacency is worse. Recent European Union initiatives in science education have focused on inquiry-based Science teaching (IBST) as the way forward. The widespread adoption of IBST is intended to address both shortfalls in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, mathematics) labour force and the perceived need for more scientific literacy in the general population. The SF conference aims to move beyond the current paradigm, using knowledge from several major projects in this area, and the expertise of thinkers from inside and outside the science education field. It will provide stimulating debate rather than presentational rhetoric. The objective of the conference is to produce a consensus report on the way forward for science education in Europe, using the experience, knowledge and imagination of conference participants. We will use group discussion, video diaries and writing on walls to capture the ideas from the conference. The SF conference represents the mid-point in the S-TEAM (Science-Teacher Education Advanced Methods) project, which is promoting advanced methods in science teacher education across Europe. Other current projects at the conference will include ESTABLISH, Primas and Fibonacci. We will have representatives from the Directorates of Research and Education & Culture in Brussels, policymakers and experienced teachers from the countries collaborating in S-TEAM and researchers from institutions at the cutting edge of science education.

Period	13 Oct 2010 → 16 Oct 2010
Event type	Conference
Location	Glasgow, United KingdomShow on map