Despite their love of gadgets and technological wizardry, many young people throughout Europe think science is boring, excessively theoretical and above all, 'uncool'. This has resulted in a gradual drop in the numbers of young people studying science and technology or choosing related careers.
Young Europeans attribute the lack of S and T appeal to the way science is taught in schools, the complexity of these subjects, and an apparent shortage of attractive career prospects. Making science more appealing to the young requires a serious rethinking of the way science is conveyed.
Despite the numerous projects and actions being implemented in EU member states to reverse this trend, the signs of improvement are still modest. Unless more effective action is taken, Europe's longer term capacity to innovate, and the quality of its research will decline.
According to the European Commission, addressing this requires revamping school science syllabuses to make them more relevant to young people's experiences and highlighting the bright prospects science and technology offers intellectually and financially, as well as the important role it plays in solving the major challenges that concern them. In short, it requires hard-wiring science into youth culture and awareness.
The Commission also believes that the bodies responsible for implementing change at local, national and European level need to take action to improve science education.
A report by a Commission-appointed expert group on science education published last June entitled Science Education Now: a Renewed Pedagogy for the Future of Europe examines a cross-section of ongoing initiatives and provides possible solutions and recommendations.
Following the report's publication the Commission is implementing a scheme to fund science education projects set up through calls for proposals. The scheme's objective is to spread the use of more innovative science education methods on a larger scale in European primary and secondary schools. The generation of experience, knowledge and know-how will be supported through calls for proposals for research-based actions involving practitioners, such as teachers and other key actors, including those at the local level.
The European Commission is expecting the projects to bring about a change in the way that science is taught in schools through European collaborative activities; using techniques that have been successfully piloted, adapted and applying them on a European scale. Its long-term aim is to significantly increase the numbers of young people in Europe taking up careers in science and technology and a generally increasing knowledge of science in the younger generation.
The EU is creating new opportunities for enhanced support through the instruments of the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7). These funds could help build the necessary framework to promote such change. The necessary level of support offered under the FP7's Science in Society (SIS) theme is estimated to be around €60 million over the next six years.
The SIS call for proposals that opened last month entitled 'Supporting and Co-ordinating Actions on Innovative Methods in Science Education' seeks to increase the number of young people from all backgrounds entering careers in science, research and technology; and hopes to raise the general level awareness of the impact of science on society.
The funds in this topic will support actions that promote the more widespread use of problem- and inquiry-based science teaching techniques in primary and secondary schools. The call also encourages actions that bridge the gap between the science education research community, science teachers and local actors in order to facilitate the uptake of inquiry-based science teaching.
The actions are intended to complement school science curricula and must include teacher training activities. In addition, the consortia must be open to the participation of entities seeking to gain experience in problem-based and inquiry-based science education techniques.
The deadline for the call for proposals is July 24. Contact Anthea Frendo at the Malta Council for Science and Technology on 2360 2141 or e-mail anthea.frendo@gov.mt.
Highlights from report on science education in Europe
• Europe needs more scientists. Unless students choose to pursue science subjects at school and university the chances of more people opting for a science career are slim. This has potentially serious consequences for Europe. Modern society's prosperity and well-being is based on continuous scientific and technological progress. All young people need to develop key analytical skills at school whatever they choose to do afterwards.
• Introduce IBSE. Introduce new forms of pedagogy, such as Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE) approaches in schools to increase children's interest and achievement levels while simultaneously stimulating teacher motivation.
IBSE and traditional approaches should always be combined in a science classroom to accommodate different mindsets and age-groups.
• Look at IBSE initiatives. Look at innovative initiatives such as 'Pollen' that are already promoting crucial components for the renewal of science teaching practices in Europe.
Pollen supports schools in 12 EU countries to promote inquiry-based teaching techniques.
The initiative was originally focused on primary schools and is now expanding to secondary level.
• Develop teacher networks. Train teachers in IBSE and actively support teachers' networks. Teachers in Europe are key players in the renewal of science education but isolation is one of the main negative elements of their profession and is clearly bad for both morale and motivation.
Professional Europe-wide networks however should enable teachers to acquire, compare and share educational and didactic skills.
• Encourage knowledge-sharing. Introduce measures to encourage local communities to participate in the renewal of science education through collaborative actions and sharing of know-how at European level aimed at accelerating the pace of change.
The link between national activities and those funded at European level must be improved.
Ms Fiorini is Science and Technology executive officer and an FP7 national contact point at Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST).