The University of Melbourne invites applications for a Level D position in Science Education to take up a leadership position in a lively science education team in Australia’s foremost faculty of Education. Closing date September 13, 2010.

Full details are available on the university website. Position number 0024378.
Contact: Professor Kaye Stacey +61 3 8344 8746 or +61 3 8344 8443 or k.stacey@unimelb.edu.au

Special issue guest editors:
Iztok Devetak (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia)
Janez Vogrinc (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia)

http://www.world-education-center.org/index.php/cjes/article/view/151

During 2011, the International Journal of Science Education will be further developed into International Journal of Science Education Part A: Formal Science Education, which will be concerned with schools, colleges, universities, teacher education, and the new journal International Journal of Science Education Part B: Science Communication and Public Engagement.

More information (pdf)

Assistant or Associate Professor in the didactics of science museums and centres.
Department of Science Education
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

A position in the area of informal science learning is available at the Department of Science Education. The research will include the didactical transformation of science into an exhibition, how to make an exhibition an active learning environment, and how museum fieldtrips can contribute in making school science more understandable, meaningful, and engaging to (especially) upper secondary students. The applicant must have substantial research experience within one or more of these areas besides an established network both nationally and internationally within the field of museum didactics. Furthermore, the applicant is expected to be able to teach master level courses in science communication and museum educator communication.

The deadline for applications is August 16, 2010 at noon, 12:00 pm local Danish time.

More information (pdf)

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) wishes to appoint a tenure track assistant professor in mathematics or science education. This is an attractive position with excellent career opportunities for candidates with a strong research profile in mathematics education and/or science education.

Information on: http://www.rug.nl/corporate/vacatures/jobOpportunitiesRUG or contact Martin Goedhart (m.j.goedhart@rug.nl, tel. +31 50 363 8303).
Application deadline 31st of August 2010.

“Inquiry-based Learning: facilitating authentic learning experiences in science and mathematics" is the fourth in a series of biennial international Science and Mathematics Education Conferences (SMEC) that have been hosted by the Centre for the Advancement of Science Teaching and Learning (CASTeL), of Dublin City University & St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra.

DCU, Dublin, Ireland, September 16-17, 2010
URL: http://www.dcu.ie/smec/2010/index.shtml

TOPICS of interest include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Breadth versus depth in science and mathematics curricula
• Attitudes and perceptions of inquiry-based learning
• Implications for teacher education; pre-service & in-service
• Inquiry for teachers - challenges and rewards of implementation
• Inquiry as a means versus inquiry as an outcome
• Assessment of inquiry

Submissions can be made by emailing abstracts to: smec10@dcu.ie

EXTENDED Abstract Submission and Early Bird Registration: June 14, 2010
Notification of Acceptance: June 21, 2010
Paper Submission for Accepted Abstracts: July 30, 2010

More information (pdf)

Call for papers for the spesieal issue: Digital Games and Learning in Science: A Sociocultural perspective in cultural studies of science education.
Editor: Catherine Milne

More information (pdf)

PDF files for the special issue of Science and Religion, published this year in Cultural Studies of Science Education are available as a free download from Springerlink.

King’s College London wishes to appoint an individual to the established Chair in Science Education. King's has a national and international reputation for its work in science education and this post is the UK's most prestigious chair in this field. The Department of Education and Professional Studies is seeking to appoint somebody with international renown and applicants should have a strong research profile and the ability to contribute more generally to a department with a strong research culture. The individual appointed will be required to supervise PhD students, teach on Masters courses and to lead the Science and Technology Education Group.

More information

Call for papers for the Chemistry Education Research and Practice special issue on ‘Diagnostic assessment in chemistry’. Editors: David Treagust and Mei-Hung Chiu

More information (pdf)

Call for papers for the SC&ED special issue on ‘Philosophical Considerations in the Teaching of Biology’. Guest editor: Kostas Kampourakis

More information (pdf)

Call for papers for special issue: GLOBALIZATION – SCIENCE EDUCATION FROM AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching. Guest Editors: Mei-Hung Chiu and Reinders Duit

More information (pdf)

SETAC (Science Education As a Tool for Active Citizenship) is funded by the European Union Lifelong Learning Programme and focuses on science education as among the fundamental tools for developing active citizens in the knowledge society. It is aimed at teachers, students, museum explainers and explores the themes of Health, Energy, Climate Change.

www.museoscienza.org/setac

More information (pdf)

As teachers we often tend to expect other countries to teach chemistry in much the same way as we do, but educational systems differ widely. At Bielefeld University we started a project to analyse the approach to chemical education in different countries from all over the world: Teaching Chemistry around the World. 25 countries have participated in the project. The resulting country studies are presented in this book.

2010, 399 pages, pb., 34,90 €
ISBN 978-3-8309-2296-4

More Information

August 8-13, 2010
Taipei, Taiwan
Submission of Abstracts :Deadline on April 22, 2010

The conference website

The Institute of Science Education (IDN) invites applications for a Junior Professorship in Chemistry Education to be appointed at the earliest possible date. The temporary position is limited to three years (with an extension option for a further three years).

More Information

Do you know anyone who like to go to Umeå for work with research?
Please spread the information about this position in Umeå:
http://www8.umu.se/umu/aktuellt/arkiv/lediga_tjanster/312-272-10.html

Philosophy of chemistry has, only in the last few decades, begun to emerge as a distinct field within philosophy of science. However the relevance of philosophy of chemistry for the teaching of chemistry is a relatively uncharted research territory. This special issue intends to illuminate some of the topography and central features of that territory, and indicate useful areas for on-going research, especially concerning curriculum structure, programming, laboratory work, assessment and classroom teaching of chemistry.

Researchers working on areas related to the philosophy of chemistry and/or what it may contribute to the teaching of chemistry are invited to contribute to this thematic issue. Conceptual, theoretical, empirical or position-based manuscripts are welcome. Examples of topics may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Periodic Table
• Reductionism
• Chemistry and society
• Ethics and chemistry
• Atomic theory
• Discourse of chemistry
• Microstructuralism
• Theories of chemical bonding
• Synthesis
• Chemical language and symbolism
• Models
• Chemical reactions
• Ontology of chemistry
• Laws and theories
• Substance
• Theoretical chemistry
• Structure and function
• Quantum mechanics
• Concept of element
• Prediction and explanation

A number of prominent scholars are contributing invited essays. These include:

• Eric Scerri, University of California at Los Angeles, USA
• Paul Needham, University of Stockholm, Sweden
• Andrea Woody, University of Washington at Seattle, USA
• Jose Antonio Chamizo, Universidad Nacionale Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico
• Veli-Matti Vesterinen, University of Helsinki, Finland
• Merce Izquierdo, Autonoma Universidad de Barcelona, Spain
• Emma Tobin, University of Bristol, UK
• Joseph Earley, Georgetown University, USA
• Manuel Fernández-González, University of Granada, Spain

Philosophers, educators and chemists are cordially invited to submit a manuscript reviewing an aspect of philosophy of chemistry that might illuminate some facet of textbooks, curriculum structure, laboratory work, or the classroom practice of chemistry teaching.

Submission Date: March 1st, 2011

Manuscripts, with Abstract, should be submitted for review direct to: www.editorialmanager.com/sced

Notification of intention to submit and subject matter is appreciated as it assists coordination and planning of the issue. Such notification, questions and inquires should be directed to the guest editor:

Dr Sibel Erduran
University of Bristol, UK
email: Sibel.Erduran@bristol.ac.uk

The Graduate School of Molecular Science Education is a collaboration between Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg University and Karlstad University with funding from the Erna and Victor Hasselblad Foundation. This research programme seeks knowledge about education and learning of the molecular level in chemistry, physics and biology and how formal, as well as informal and virtual learning environments can help to develop students' and public understanding of scientific phenomena with help of a molecular perspective. They are now looking for a post-doctoral collaborator to the research environment. It is expected that the candidate conduct his/her own research with a focus on research into education in molecular sciences. The post-doc position will be appointed at the department of Education at University of Gothenburg. Appointments will start from July 1, 2010, at earliest, and will run for a period of one and a half years.

More information (pdf)

During the last decades the Netherlands has been very active in the innovation of science and mathematics education. Currently Dutch curriculum development projects are in progress for the subjects mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry and advanced integrated science and mathematics.

This Summer School aims at providing secondary science and mathematics teachers and educators, curriculum developers and researchers with a blend of lectures, seminars and other activities on curriculum development and related research. The programme will be tailored to the interests of both mathematics and science education.

The course is organised by the Freudenthal Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (FIsme), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University.

More information

The 23rd Biennial Conference of the Asian Association for Biology Education (AABE) will be held at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, from 18-20, Oct 2010. The theme of the conference is: Rethinking Biology Education for Social and Sustainable Development. The 3-day conference will have keynote speakers, oral and poster presentations, country reports, a workshop, and mid-and post-conference tours.

The website for the conference

Assessing Ethics in Secondary Science, is a report based on a seminar held in London in 2008 at the Nuffield Foundation. The report consists of two main sections. The first section is Michael Reiss’s summary of the discussion which took place at the seminar, along with recommendations made on behalf of the participants. The second section is a discussion of the background to teaching and assessing ethics in the science classroom, containing Michael Reiss’s personal views.

Report (pdf)

The 8th Conference of European Researchers in Didactics of Biology (ERIDOB) will be held July 13-17, 2010.
Theme: Authenticity in Biology Education: Benefits and Challenges
Venue: Institute of Education, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
Website

A two-day conference for science practitioners working with children from birth to 8 years of age. The conference will take place at Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln between 8 and 9 July 2010.

Flyer (pdf)

The ELSIN (European Learning Styles Information Network) organizing
committee is inviting submissions to the 15th annual Conference which
will take place at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, between 28 and 30
June 2010.The main conference theme is “Exploring styles to enhance
learning and teaching in diverse contexts”. The deadline for abstract
submission is 15 February 2010.

The ELSIN 2010 conference will provide an interesting and diverse
programme to include poster sessions, round tables, paper presentations
and symposia complemented by various social activities.

Further information is available on the conference website.
Flyer (pdf)

Karlstad University, Sweden, is seeking a Professor in Science Education.

More information

Due to many requests the deadline for proposals has been extended to December 20. Updates on the IOSTE symposium can be found at www.ioste14.org.

Both conferences will be held in a hotel in Maresias, a beach 100 miles from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Both conferences are being organized by the University of Sao Paulo.

The 8th International Conference for the History of Science in Science Education (ICHSSE), Sao Paulo, Brazil, 16 - 19 August, 2010. The main theme of next conference will be “Learning science and about science through history”. This is a conference with about 25 invited speakers, with no parallel sections, which facilitates intensive dialogue and change of ideas among attendants.

The 1st Latin American Conference of the International History, Philosophy, and Science Teaching Group (IHPST-LA), Sao Paulo, Brazil, 19 - 21 August, 2010. The Latin American Conference will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of papers on the use of history and philosophy of science in science teaching. It is open for submission of papers in English, Portuguese and Spanish - the official languages of the meeting. More information: The International History & Philosophy of Science Teaching Group

The 9th International Conference of the Learning Sciences will be held June 29 - July 2 2010 (preconference June 28 - 29 2010) at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, Chicago, IL.

They are now accepting proposals of pre-conference workshops for the 9th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS2010), which will take place between June 29 - July 2 2010, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The theme of the ICLS2010 conference is "Learning in the Disciplines".

Pre-conference events will be held Monday morning and afternoon June 28, and on the morning of June 29 with the formal conference beginning that afternoon and running through Friday, July 2, 2010.

Proposals for pre-conference workshops should use the form available at the conference website. Proposals are due by December 15, 2009. This year, accepted workshops will also be provided with 2 pages in the conference Proceedings describing the intellectual content of the workshops.

The 'Science' editorial (VOL 326 23 OCTOBER 2009) written by Pierre Léna refers to the 'Science Education in Europe' report.

This is the second Call for Papers for the XIV Symposium of the International Organization for Science and Technology Education (IOSTE).

The main theme of this symposium is: "Socio-cultural and Human Values in Science and Technology Education". You can visit the website at www.ioste14.org and see the submission details.

The deadline for the Proposal submission is December 1, 2009!

Getting Practical and SCORE along with the International Committee at the ASE are hosting a seminar on ‘Effective Practical Science’ with an international flavour. We invite you to share your interest and enthusiasm for practical science in education during an interesting and informative afternoon of discussion as part of the ASE Annual Conference. The seminar will host guest speakers from Europe with a variety of experiences of practical science in education offering perspectives from the UK, around Europe and working in the Far East. Their talks will form the basis of further ‘round table’ discussions focusing on topics such as student attitudes to science across the world, handling assessment of practical work in schools and the contribution of practical science to developing ‘global citizens’ and scientists of the future. This is an excellent opportunity for science educators from all over the world to get together and discuss key practical science issues. Further information can be found on the Getting Practical website.

International Conference in Zurich 18. - 21. August 2010.

Conference flyer(pdf)
Registration and Poster Submission (pdf)

The Conference on Chemical Education (ICCE) sponsored by IUPAC: August 8-13, 2010 in Taipei, Taiwan. Conference theme: “Chemistry Education and Sustainability in the Global Age”. For more details, see: http://icce2010.gise.ntnu.edu.tw/

The International Journal of Gender Science and Technology is an important new publication which brings together research, case studies and perspectives from academics, practitioners and policy makers in this area. It’s available online free of charge. For further information about the journal and any enquiries please contact:

Jenni Carr
(Project Officer)
Tel: 01908 653797
Email: j.g.carr@open.ac.uk

http://genderandset.open.ac.uk

The XIV Symposium of the International Organization for Science and Technology Education (IOSTE) will be held 13- 18 June, 2010 at the Golf Hotel in Bled, Slovenia. The overall theme of the 2010 symposium is "Socio-cultural and Human Values in Science and Technology Education".

Abstracts should be uploaded to www.ioste14.org by December 1, 2009.

IOSTE XIV Call for Papers

Conference on University Teaching of Chemistry will be held in June 9-11 2010 in Santa Fe, Artentina.

http://www.fbcb.unl.edu.ar/eventos/jornadasquimica

The College of Science and Letters of the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), USA, seeks a tenure track faculty member in Science or Mathematics Education, beginning Fall, 2010.

Job Announcement

The Conference will focus on inquiry-based science education. October 2-3, 2009, Ambasador Hotel, Buchares, Romania. Organised by the Center for Science Education and Training - CSET.

Flyer
Center for Science Education and Training

The Executive's Report for the 2008/9 academic year is now published:

Annual Report

There are two candidates for one position on the ESERA Executive board. An election will be held at the ESERA Conference in Istanbul. All members are invited to participate in the election. Members who are not able to attend the conference in Istanbul, have the possibility to send their votes via postal mail. Closing date for receiving votes will be August 25.

The nominations :

Marisa Michelini (pdf)
Mehmet Fatih Tasar (pdf)

Postal voting form (pdf)

The Rendez-Vous is a series of independent but collocated workshops broaching Technology-Enhanced Learning with a special focus on "Orchestration", "Connecting Learners" and "Contextualisation". December 2 – 3 there will be a workshop with the title "Leveraging time: persistent simulations and long lasting learning scenarios".

Interested researchers should submit a one-page abstract to the organiser by August 26, 2009. A maximum of six participants will be selected by the review committee. Acceptance will be notified on September 4, 2009.

More information

For more details visit the conference website

The special edition of IJMSE focuses on the PISA project now it has completed a full cycle of administration – reading, mathematics and science – to look at the how PISA has been used in participating countries and with what consequences, and to identify research potentials and policy directions emanating from this international assessment initiative.

More information (pdf)

The conference will be held in Hualien, Taiwan on 19-22 January, 2010. The conference theme is “Envisioning the Future: The Role of Curriculum Materials and Learning Environments in Educational Reform”.

The conference website

The Academic Committee invites researchers in Biology Didactics to take part in the Eighth Conference of European Researchers in Didactics of Biology (ERIDOB). The aim of the conference is to give researchers in Biology Didactics the opportunity to present and discuss their research work and results. The Conference will be held at the Institute of Education, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal from the 13^th to the 17^th July 2010. The conference theme is: ‘Authenticity in Biology Education: Benefits and Challenges’.

Proposals should be submitted by 1st October 2009.

The conference web-site

Flyer

More information

2010 Bremen Symposium on Chemistry and Science Education 23/2/2009

The 20th Symposium on Chemistry and Science Education taking place at the University of Bremen in May 2010 continues a long tradition of symposia stretching back to 1981.

Flyer
www.chemiedidaktik.uni-bremen.de/symp2010

The Austrian Educational Competence Centre Biology (AECC Biology) together with the Faculty of Life Sciences of the University of Vienna is announcing the position of a Full Professor of Didactics of Biology expected to start as soon as possible.

More information

Silke Mikelskis-Seifert, Ute Ringelband, Maja Brückmann (Eds.)
2008, 272 pages, pb., € 29,90
ISBN 978-3-8309-2018-2

• the applicants’ names and institutions
• the names of the organising committee
• the proposed location of the conference (with a description of the venue)
• previous involvement of the organisers in ESERA events (particularly previous summer schools in bids to host the Summer School 2012)
• a rationale (500-1000 words) indicating why the bid should be chosen.

The successful bids will be announced in March 2009.

IOSTE og Siauliai University invite you to the international regional VII IOSTE Symposium for Central and Eastern Europe Countries „Development of Science and Technology Education in Central and Eastern Europe", which will take place 14 – 18 June 2009 in the Conference centre of Siauliai University in Siauliai, Lithuania. Symposium websites: http://agora.guru.ru/display.php?conf=ioste_symp_LT-2009

Eastern Mediterranean University is pleased to announce the first international conference on undergraduate science education; Frontiers in Science Education Research 2009 (FISER’09). The aim of FISER’09 is to provide a scholarly environment for promoting discussions in contemporary topics of undergraduate science and mathematics education research. FISER’09 is open to professional science and mathematics education researchers, educators, students and all others who are interested. During FISER’09, topics that will be covered will extend from education technologies to faculty development and from undergraduate curricula designs to the Bologna Process. FISER’09 will take place during 22 – 24 March 2009 in Famagusta. The official language of the conference is English. Papers in all fields of undergraduate science and mathematics education research are invited.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers: Professors Lillian McDermott, David Hestenes and Cedric Linder.

FISER’09

The Faculty of Sciences at the University of Geneva has an opening for two positions at the level of professor (two positions as full, associate, or tenure track assistant professor) in Science Didactics (preferably in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics with an opening in other disciplines taught by the Faculty of Sciences).

Further information and French version

Dear Colleagues and Fellow Science Educators

We are pleased to announce the invitation to participate in the ESERA 2009 Conference which will be held in Istanbul. Istanbul is a very exciting city, so we hope the conference will be too! As the local organizing committee we are making sure that all the preparations are in place so that we can host you at this wonderful event.

Three Turkish universities are hosting the conference this time: Gazi University, Hacettepe University, and Yeditepe University. Science education in Turkey is enjoying a rapid growth. Every year dozens of doctorates are being awarded in several Turkish Universities and many PhD are joining the group in Turkey by earning their degrees abroad. Nowadays you may see more articles in international science education journals originating from Turkey. We strongly believe that this conference will bring more excitement to all of us.

The conference web site is now open and we will post information in due time about the developments. Please do not forget to check the web site at http://www.esera2009.org (flyer) from time to time and also inform your colleagues in your institutions and countries.

We wish you a refreshing and rewarding conference and looking forward to meeting you all in Istanbul!

M. Fatih Tasar, Chair of the ESERA Conference 2009
Esra Akgul
Gultekin Cakmakci

Congratulations to ESERA member Nasser Mansour who has been given the Best Paper Award of the European Educational Research Association Postgraduate and Young Researchers Pre-Conference 07. His paper is entitled 'Religious beliefs: A hidden variable in the performance of science teachers in the classroom'.

More information

Katrina Emmett, PhD student
Supervisors: Prof. Dr Harrie Eijkelhof and Dr Kees Klaassen
Institution: Utrecht University, Netherlands
Visiting: Prof. Joan Bliss, Sussex University, United Kingdom

Angela Fitzgerald, PhD student
Supervisor: Prof. Mark Hackling and Dr Vaille Dawson
Institution: Edith Cowan University, Australia
Visiting: Prof. Kirsti Klette, Marianne Ødegaard and Nina E. Arnesen, University of Oslo, Norway

Roberto Greco, PhD student
Supervisor: Prof. Mauro Marchetti
Institution: Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy
Visiting: Prof. Chris King, Keele University, United Kingdom

Clas Olander, PhD student
Supervisor: Prof. Björn Andersson
Institution: University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Visiting: Prof. John Leach, Leeds University, United Kingdom

Dra Mariá Teresa Guerra-Ramos, reader-researcher
Institution: Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados Unidad
Monterrey, Mexico
Visiting: Prof. John Leach and Dr Jim Ryder, University of Leeds, United Kingdom

The University of York, UK and IPN in Kiel, Germany have published a
series of books on science education:

Bennett et al.: Making a difference
Nentwig & Waddington: Making it relevant
Waddington et al.: Making it comparable

Science education, and the declining numbers of young people choosing to pursue the study of science in Europe, have recently been the focus of considerable attention. "Science Education in Europe" reports on the findings of two Nuffield-funded London seminars which drew together a group of leading science educators from across Europe. The report highlights the major issues confronting formal secondary science education, identifies similarities and differences between countries, and makes a series of recommendations for improvement in key areas.

Read the report (pdf)

Dear Member of ESERA

The journal Science & Education will be publishing a special anniversary issue(s) to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the original publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859 and, coincidently, the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth. Researchers working on areas related to Darwinism and evolution education are invited to contribute. More information about the special issue. Please note that a science education perspective is welcome but not necessary.

The due date for submissions has been set for over a year from now on 31 Dec 2008 so as to encourage high quality contributions from as many scholars as possible. (As with other special issues, notification of intent to submit and subject matter are greatly appreciated as it assists with the coordination and planning of the issue.)

Sincerely, David Rudge & Kostas Kampourakis

Guest editors, Special Journal Issue: Darwinian Anniversary Year, 2009, Science & Education

As many of you know, I am interested in young children’s scientific development or Emergent Science (science for young children aged between 0 and 8 years of age). Over the last year, I have set up an Emergent Science electronic network which incorporates early childhood and science education professionals, researchers and interested groups and individuals from many different countries and affiliated to different professional and research associations.

More information

The ESERA Selected Contributions book “Contributions from Science Education Research” is ready for distribution from Springer Science Business Media B.V. This book includes 37 edited papers from the most outstanding contribution in the ESERA Conference held in Barcelona in 2005.

Members of ESERA, participants of the ESERA Conference in 2005 and/or 2007 can obtain the book at a reduced price: 23,70€ plus shipping costs (5€ within Europe/ 10€ rest of the world), by filling an order form.

Order form

More information

Edited by Sandra K. Abell University of Missouri/Columbia &
Norman G. Lederman Illinois Institute of Technology

This state-of-the art research handbook provides a comprehensive, coherent, current synthesis of the empirical and theoretical research concerning teaching and learning in science and lays down a foundation upon which future research can be built. Structured to highlight recent trends in the field, the volume is organized around five themes:

• Science Learning
• Culture, Gender, and Society and Science Learning
• Science Teaching
• Curriculum and Assessment in Science Teacher Education

More details can be found at: http://www.routledge.com/9780805847147

Handbook of Research on Science Education (pdf)

The Rocard Report on Science Education 24/07/2007

In April 2006, Michel Rocard (former French Prime Minister, and MEP) contacted the EU Commissioner for science and research, Janez Potocnik to draw attention to a European initiative which he considered as showing enormous potential for increasing young people's interest in science and mathematics.

Mr Rocard's concern, and indeed that of policy makers across Europe, was that the declining interest for certain science studies among young people will stand in the way of the emergence of a truly knowledge-based society, both in terms of Europe's need for more scientists, and the need to ensure that all young people develop key analytical skills at school that will prepare them for the future - whatever they choose to do.

Mr Rocard, was therefore invited to chair a small group of experts to see what action could be taken. The ESERA president, Doris Jorde participanted in the expert group.

The work of this group is now accomplished, and the report is available to download. It makes a number of recommendations ranging from the need for collective action, how improvement in science teaching can be brought about, and what could be done at all levels: local, national and European. The main message, however, is that we need to radically revise the way that science is taught in our schools.

The report is being widely disseminated and it is hope that it will stimulate debate and a commitment for real action among policy makers at the highest levels within the European Union. Other language versions shall be available shortly.

Science Education NOW - A Renewed Pedagogy for the Future of Europe

A new version of the Bibliography STCSE (Students' and Teachers' Conceptions and Science Education) may be downloaded from: www.ipn.uni-kiel.de/aktuell/stcse/stcse.html

Philip Bell (University of Washington) has started a new blog dedicated to research developments related to the science of learning. It is a stream of relevant studies, books, articles, and resources.http://how-we-learn.blogspot.com

A new report has been published by EURYDICE. The report focuses on science teaching in 30 European countries at primary and general lower secondary level. It was carried out during 2004/5. The report provides a comparison of the regulations and official recommendations concerning initial teacher education: programme content and accreditation criteria, and the qualifications and experience of trainers in training establishments and in schools (for practical placement and final 'on-the-job' qualifying phase). The main learning activities and objectives of school curricula are examined, as well as the content of standardised evaluation of science pupils. The projects and debates relating to the development of this type of evaluation are reviewed. A summary of research results on learning science subjects and the practices and training of science teachers rounds off the study.

The report, to which ESERA members including Martine Meheut and Edgar Jenkins took part is available at: Eurydice.org

SensePublishers offer an interesting series of books on Mathematics and
Science Education and related subjects.The series editors Kenneth Tobin and Wolff-Michael Roth welcome proposals to publish in the series.

More information

CSSE invite you to contribute to scholarly discussions in relation to
cultural studies in science education on the BLOG: blogs.springer.com/csse

More information

Are student enrolments in Science and Technology studies really going down? What are the factors that affect students’ choices? What are the mechanisms that can be implemented to influence such choices? The OECD Global Science Forum has just released a concise policy-level report, featuring findings and recommendations for the different stakeholders in S&T education and describing the main quantitative and qualitative aspects of this problem.

Report on the Evolution of Student Interest in Science and Technology Studies

This is a course for science education professionals who wish to develop their practice and enhance student learning. Academic research and hands on experience at an international centre for teaching and research in science and education.

More information

Science Activities is a peer reviewed journal targeted at practitioners- providing specific, inquiry-based science lessons for educators at the K-12 level.

Call for papers
Author guidelines