Science in primary school : La main à la pâte A project for South-East Europe ?

David Jasmin, avril 2004 Why teaching science ? To develop a scientific literacy for all citizens Technologically competent workforce Decrease dangers due to ignorance Overcome social barriers To help the future of our societies: Many issues in the future will need science Europe needs scientists as a society of knowledge But, current state of science education is inadequate in most countries of the world !

David Jasmin, avril 2004 Why a focus on pre and primary school ? (ages 3 to 12) Children: -spontaneously question natural phenomena - have a great ability to learn -can learn language and science together -in contact with the real world are less influenced by media. primary school is an ideal place to implement an in-depth renovation of science education

David Jasmin, avril 2004 Since the 1990s, a worldwide effort, led by scientists and Science Academies, in cooperation with education authorities International conferences : Tokyo 2000, Beijing 2000, Rio 2001, Vatican 2001, Kuala Lumpur 2002, Delhi 2002, Monterrey 2002, Alexandrie 2003, Santiago 2003, Kuching 2003…. Active renovation projects : USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Haiti, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Belgium, Serbia, Morocco, Egypt, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia… A common approach is emerging, respecting diversity

David Jasmin, avril 2004 General philosophy of Hands-on, La main à la pâte, Ruka u testu, European innovations develop rapidly & are becoming a reference for many countries Science as an investigation Something pupils do, not something that is done for them Teacher helps pupils to build their own knowledge Action, experimentation, interrogation, collective reconstruction Deeper understanding with an oral written presentation : science notebook

David Jasmin, avril 2004 Sweden : Natural sciences and Technology for All ! Royal Academies leadership, since 1996 Global systemic approach, cities involvement, teachers training, evaluation 34 cities, 2200 teachers France : La main à la pâte, since 1996 Académie des sciences & Ministère de l’éducation 14 pilot centers - New curriculum - National renovation plan Web site - Teachers training - Material & resources classes A European Science & society project selected by EU Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Sweden

David Jasmin, avril 2004 Ruka u testu in Serbia Preparatory actions Creation of resources for teachers ; Involvement of scientists and collaboration with French Académie des sciences & Euro science ; Teachers information : the Serbian Ministry of Education decides to propose an option "La main à la pâte - Discovering the World" (30 hours per year), for primary classes : new resources ; teachers training in Serbia & France ; international network of Balkan scientists.( It is an opportunity for any country!

Pilot projects may easily be implemented in South-East Europe Training & class protocols available Inexpensive school equipment Support of prestigious scientists & Academies Role of Internet and teachers-oriented ICT High quality expertise in several EU countries

David Jasmin, avril 2004 Teachers training in Belgrade

David Jasmin, avril 2004 In primary school