Engaging with Schools: Training for Researchers

Engaging with Schools: Training for Researchers

Astronomy, space and planetary sciences offer an inspiring context for science and technology lessons in the classroom. Students are captivated by the fascinating universe: from galaxies and planets, to space travel, satellites and the search for extraterrestrial life. By engaging with schools, researchers can have a positive impact on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

This July, Europlanet 2020 Research Infrastructure offers a free one-day training for researchers aiming to develop their skills and experience in engaging with education, schools and teachers during EWASS 2016 in Athens, Greece.

Workshop Overview

The one-day workshop will provide an opportunity for scientists to come in contact with best practices in school engagement, encourage them to build communication skills and confidence to engage with schools, and develop their own engagement session based on their field of interest. Furthermore, the workshop will equip participants with the knowledge needed to plan and execute engaging school activities effectively. Finally, the Dutch project managers of the European project Teaching Enquiry with Mysteries (TEMI) will introduce a method for inquiry based science education (ISBE) in both informal and formal education.

By participating in this workshop, participants will:

• Identify a variety of approaches for engaging with schools
• Explore key ingredients needed for a high-quality school engagement activity
• Discover tools and resources to use in their engagement with schools
• Prepare an educational session based on their personal research interests
• Gain practical experience by engaging with teachers
• Get an introduction to Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE)
• Learn how inquiry based learning can be incorporated in science education

The Trainers
Rosa Doran is an astronomy educator and a leader of the global teacher training programmes in astronomy, Galileo Teacher Training Programme (GTTP) and Global Hands On Universe (GHOU).

Wouter Schrier is an astronomer, currently active as study advisor for the Leiden University astronomy Institute and as project manager for international science education programmes like Universe Awareness and TEMI.

Iris Nijman is a biomedical scientist and science communicator, working for the Leiden University astronomy institute as project manager for international science education programmes like Universe Awareness and TEMI.

Registration

The deadline for registration has been extended to 31st May 2016. Some late registrations may be accepted after this date. For late registrations, please contact Rosa Doran: rosa.doran@nuclio.pt

The Coral Hotel is offering discounted prices for workshop attendees (Single €68, Double €80).

Celebrating Juno’s Arrival at Jupiter: Tuesday, 5 July 2016, Athens

A public event to celebrate the arrival of the Juno mission at Jupiter will be held at the same venue, following the workshop. Participants and members of the public are invited to attend. Find out more