Abstract
A strong international interest is developing since over a decade, regarding science education for all students, beginning at an early age in primary school. The scientific community has been extremely active in reshaping this education, both in conceptual and practical terms. ICSU through its Capacity building program in the late 1990s, the Global network of science Academies (IAP) since then with its science education program as well as many science Academies and renowned scientists have helped setting up pilot projects and worldwide exchanges. This movement, pleading for science for all students and early exposure to science (primary school) is gaining momentum in the general context of globalization.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Alberts B (2009) Redefining science education. Science 323:437
Allende J (2008) Academies active in education. Science 321:1133
Allende JW (ed) (2009) Teacher professional development in pre-secondary school inquiry-based science education (IBSE), InterAcademyPanel Report. http://www.iap.org
Boilevin JM (2013) Rénovation de l’enseignement des sciences physiques et formation des enseignants, De Boeck. From an Habilitation à diriger des recherches, Université de Provence, 2011 (in press)
China (2006) 2006–2010–2020 A Program to convey scientific culture to the whole people, Office of the Prime Minister, Beijing
De Vries M, van Keulen H, Peters S, van der Molen W (eds) (2011) Professional development for primary teachers in science and technology. The Dutch VTB Project in an international perspective. Sense Publishers, Rotterdam and Taipeh
Fibonacci Project Scientific Committee (2011) Learning through inquiry. http://www.fibonacci-project.eu
Harlen W (ed) (2010) Principles and big ideas of science education. Association for Science Education, Hatfield, UK. Dix notions-clés pour enseigner les sciences, Le Pommier, Paris (in French). http://www.cspbooks.com.cn/xinshukuailan/kexuepuji/kexuejiaoyu/2011/1013/350.html (In Chinese). http://www.innovec.org.mx/PDF/GrandesIdeasdelaCienciaEsp.pdf (In Spanish)
Harlen W, Allende J (eds) (2008) Report of the Working Group on the international collaboration for the assessment of IBSE. IAP Science Education Programme
IAP (2012) Science education program, IAP. The global network of science academies. http://www.iap.org
ICSU (2011) Report of the ad-hoc ICSU Panel on Science education, Johnson R (Chair) http://www.icsu.org/publications/@@category_search?path=&Subject:list=Education
Indagala (2011). http://www.indagala.org
Léna P (2009) Europe rethinks education. Science 326:501
McKinsey Foundation (2011) How the world’s most improved school systems keep getting better. http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/social_sector/our_practices/education/knowledge_highlights/best_performing_school.aspx
National Science Foundation (1997) The challenge and promise of K-8 science education reform. Foundations 1. NSF, Arlington
OECD (2008) Encouraging student interest in science and technology studies. OECD Global Science Forum, Paris
Osborne J, Dillon J (2008) Science education in Europe: critical reflections. The Nuffield Foundation, London
Rocard M (2007) Science education now: for a renewed pedagogy. Report to the European Commission
Royal Society (2010) Primary science and mathematics: getting the basics right. Report extracted from the State of the nation Report on 5-14 Science and mathematics education in the United Kingdom, London
Sarmant JP et al (2010) La main à la pâte: implementing a plan for science education reform in France. In: GE De Boer (ed) The role of public policy in K-12 science education. Information Age Publishing, Charlotte, NC
Sjöberg S (2011) How do young people feel about science and technology. The ROSE Project, University of Oslo. http://roseproject.no
UNESCO (2010) Current challenges in basic science education. Education sector, Paris
Valls-Gabaud D, Boksenberg A (eds) (2011) The role of astronomy in education and culture. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Wellcome Trust (2012) Perspectives in education: inquiry-based learning. http://wellcome.ac.uk
Acknowledgments
This contribution is based on many collaborations carried inside the French Académie des sciences, especially with Yves Quéré and Jean-François Bach, and with the La main à la pâte full team. The work in the Global Education Program of IAP has been the occasion of many encounters and discussions on Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) in various countries of the world: thanks of the author especially go to Patricia Rowell (Canada), Jorge Allende (Chile), Wei Yu (China), Wynne Harlen (United Kingdom), Hubert Dyasi (United States) and many others.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This contribution is the written, peer reviewed version of a paper presented at the “Science and Society Day” (Monday, 26 September 2011), in connection with the ICSU General Assembly (CNR, Italian National Research Council and Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Rome, Italy) on the topic: Science Literacy and the Responsibility of Scientists.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Léna, P. Education in science: its values and the role of the scientific community. Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei 23 (Suppl 1), 13–16 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-012-0195-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-012-0195-z