S-TEAM
Science teacher education advanced
methods
Presentation to P2P Group, Brussels,
March 2011
Peter Gray
What is S-TEAM?
• Promoting inquiry-based science teaching by
supporting and developing science teachers
• Innovations in professional development
• 15 countries, 26 partners
• May 2009 – April 2012
NORWAY
DK
SCOTLAND
GERMANY
SWEDEN
FINLAND
ENGLAND
ESTONIA
FRANCE
LITHUANIA
SPAIN
TURKEY
CYPRUS
ISRAEL
www.ntnu.no/s-team
CZECH
S-TEAM principles
• There is no magic solution for scientific
literacy or science careers
• Increasing enthusiasm for science means
empowering pupils/students and teachers to
think for themselves
• …but they should also think scientifically.
What do science teachers really need?
• Time and space to reflect on their practice
• Recognition of their engagement with inquiry
• Freedom to give pupils/students ownership of
their learning
www.ntnu.no/s-team
Asking silly questions
• Encouraging curiosity and a sense of wonder
• Should we align pupil interests to the
curriculum?
S-TEAM methods
• Using existing expertise, partners design
training packages or other materials
• Activities are piloted with teachers
• Activities/materials revised as a result of
feedback
• Activities promoted with schools and/or
government agencies
Some dimensions of inquiry
Curiosity
Observation Argument
Autonomy
Interests
Models
www.ntnu.no/s-team
S-TEAM and Scientix
• Creating and distributing teacher
development models for different national
contexts…
• …but with a face-to-face element…
• …and accreditation from universities
www.ntnu.no/s-team
S-TEAM and Scientix
• Scientix provides model for sustainable
dissemination
• S-TEAM will be able to provide proven training
programmes and teaching sequences
• ? – how to match teachers’ needs with
available resources/services?
S-TEAM and Civil Society
• Part of overall Science-in-Society strategy
• “Innovation Union” requires innovation in all
areas, not just technology
• Innovation in teaching is often surprising
simple…
Thank you for listening!
Website: www.ntnu.no/s-team
Contact: Peter Gray
[email protected]