Science Education Program
Claudio Bifano (Venezuela)
Carlos Bosch (Mexico)
Science education is the most important way through which national societies of all countries learn about science, its values, concepts and objectives, and through which they can understand the importance of scientific endeavor for their cultural and socioeconomic development. It is a source of concern that in the present age of an unparalleled velocity of scientific discovery, science education of our children at the primary and secondary levels is generally inadequate. The curricula and the methods used in most schools of the hemisphere and of the world do not convey the fascination of scientific research and do not transmit the values and approaches that make science relevant to everyday life and to responsible citizenship.
To improve the level and the relevance of science education in the hemisphere, IANAS will develop a Hemispheric Programme on Science Education.
This initiative will stimulate the active participation of science Academies and the most prominent scientists in the nations of the Americas, which will work together with teachers and educational authorities to improve the quality of science education in the Americas.
The general objective of this programme is to improve the level and the relevance of science education in the hemisphere through the active participation of science academies and the most prominent scientists in the nations of the Americas working together with teachers and educational authorities.
The specific objectives are:
1 - To promote collaboration and synergism in the implementation of science education projects sponsored by science Academies in the countries of the Americas;
2 - To stimulate the sharing of materials and experiences among projects dedicated to Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE);
3 - To generate common methods, mechanisms and guidelines to evaluate the progress of the individual projects;
4 - To create a forum for the discussion of the optimal materials and methods that should be used in science education;
5 - To stimulate collaboration among Academies in the organization of science fairs, scientific Olympics and science prizes to children.
The initial main focus of the programme will be on elementary level science education. However worthwhile activities on secondary and tertiary science education will be considered.