Main findings

- A reversal of school science-teaching pedagogy from mainly deductive to inquiry-based methods provides the means to increase interest in science.

- Renewed school’s science-teaching pedagogy based on IBSE provides increased opportunities for cooperation between actors in the formal and informal arenas.

- Teachers are key players in the renewal of science education. Among other methods, being part of a network allows them to improve the quality of their teaching and supports their motivation.

- In Europe, these crucial components of renewal of science teaching practices are being promoted by two innovative initiatives, “Pollen” and “Sinus-Transfer”, that are proving themselves capable of increasing children’s interest and attainments in science. With some adaptation these initiatives could be implemented effectively on a scale that would have the desired impact.

Recommendations

- Recommendation 1:
Because Europe’s future is at stake decision-makers must demand action on improving science education from the bodies responsible for implementing change at local, regional, national and European Union level.

- Recommendation 2:
Improvements in science education should be brought about through new forms of pedagogy: the introduction of inquiry-based approaches in schools, actions for teachers training to IBSE, and the development of teachers’ networks should be actively promoted and supported.

- Recommendation 3:
Specific attention should be given to raising the participation of girls in key school science subjects and to increasing their self-confidence in science.

- Recommendation 4:
Measures should be introduced to promote the participation of cities and the local community in the renewal of science education in collaborative actions at the European level aimed at accelerating the pace of change through the sharing of know-how.

- Recommendation 5:
The articulation between national activities and those funded at the European level must be improved and the opportunities for enhanced support through the instruments of the Framework Programme and the programmes in the area of education and culture to initiatives such as Pollenand Sinus-Transfer should be created. The necessary level of support offered under the Science in Society (SIS) part of the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development is estimated to be around 60 million euros over the next 6 years.

- Recommendation 6:
A European Science Education Advisory Board involving representatives of all stakeholders, should be established and supported by the European Commission within the Science in Society framework.

Link
The Rocard Report is available in the Insight Library:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/document_library/pdf_06/report-rocard-on-science-education_en.pdf