Naslov
The Sky as a Gift

Autori
Bedalov, Ana ; Domazet, Mladen

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), stručni

Izvornik
Science Education in Schools / Sporea, D - Bukurešt : Centre for Science Education and Training, 2007

ISBN
N/A

Skup
Science Education in Schools

Mjesto i datum
Bukurešt, Rumunjska, 11.10.2007. - 14.10.2007

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
astronomy; motivation; school science teaching; scientific method

Sažetak
In Croatia, as in the rest of Europe, there is a need to encourage interest among young people for science topics and a scientific approach to investigating their environment, as well as enabling and motivating researchers to communicate the outcomes of their work to youth audiences. Assuming that falling interest in key science topics and mathematics can been linked to the way they are taught from the earliest age, the paper presents an extracurricular programme that intends to address the formal educational obstacles to scientific knowledge appropriation at key stages of schooling and the stereotypes of science and scientists in choosing a career in science. All of these are seen as key factors behind perception of science in European and regional cultures. As a way of introduction and ground setting the paper presents a selection of research results that illustrate a broad dislike for natural science subjects among primary school students (Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics topped the table of most odious school subjects). Comparative research conducted on a selection of European science curricula indicated that the time table allocation, interdisciplinary topics, appropriation of scientific method and demonstration of connection between science and everyday life are among comparative weaknesses of the Croatian primary school science curriculum. The “ Sky as a Gift” is an extra-curricular educational programme carried out in primary schools and intended to introduce primary school students to the scientific method of investigation through astronomy. Since 2004 about 1100 students, aged 11 to 15, from 134 Croatian primary schools participated in the project. The project trained about 150 teachers (not all of them physics or science teachers) in the basics of astronomy and telescopic observation. With the aid of the telescope and the expert guidance from professional and amateur astronomers students and teachers go through a series of interesting and practical exercises. The project culminates with a final ceremony (The Star-party) and the students with the best results (about 15 of them) are invited to the Summer School of Astronomy, where they venture into independent research projects supervised by professional scientists. The topics of the projects are related to astrobiology, an interdisciplinary science that easily engages the curiosity of students and teachers (e.g. The Habitablity of the Exoplanets, Extremophilia, Life on Mars, Space Tourism etc.). Experience shows that the projects of this type entice the students’ motivation to choose natural science and technology as options for further study. A wider research project that will address individual students’ motivation and attitudes towards science (both among participants of the “ The Sky as a Gift” programme and control groups) as well as the conceptual and methodical obstacles to deconstructing current scientific developments into basic science teaching is planned (submitted to Science in Society fiche of the EU 7th Framework Programme), and will be briefly outlined.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Pedagogija

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