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 knowledgeBut, 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 reconstructionDeeper 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 teacherswww.kva.se

France : La main à la pâte, since 1996Académie des sciences & Ministère de l’éducation

14 pilot centers - New curriculum - National renovation planWeb site - Teachers training - Material & resources

50 000 classeswww.inrp.fr/lamap

A European Science & society project selected by EU Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Sweden

David Jasmin, avril 2004

Ruka u testu in Serbia2001- 2004

2002- 2004 Preparatory actions • Creation of resources for teachers ;• Involvement of scientists and collaboration with French

Académie des sciences & Euro science ;• Teachers information.

2003 : 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.

2004 : new resources ; teachers training in Serbia & France ; international network of Balkan scientists.(www.euroscience.org)

It is an opportunity for any country!

Pilot projects may easilybe 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