International Reflections on STEM Education
Effective Teaching and Learning to Address Future Challenges
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is instrumental to advancing our fundamental understanding of the world around us and plays a critical role in helping us respond to the complex challenges that society is faced with today. STEM education has thus become key to ensuring the next generation can develop the required theoretical and practical knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to address future challenges and to help them live justly, sustainably and with regard to the rights of others.
However, several barriers appear to be inhibiting the effective implementation of STEM teaching and learning in classrooms worldwide. These include, for example, the lack of a clear definition or conceptualisation of the term ‘STEM education’ and the lack of a universal set of criteria for what effective disciplinary and integrated STEM approaches should comprise. Concerns are also raised regarding teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, and confidence in implementing STEM approaches and in some cases regarding the possible side-lining of science and mathematics in integrated approaches to STEM education.
To address these issues, the Royal Irish Academy (Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann) and ALLEA (the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities) are jointly organising the symposium “International Reflections on STEM Education -Effective teaching and learning to address future challenges”. The event will provide a forum to reflect on some of the international successes and challenges in STEM teaching and learning as well as an opportunity to exchange ideas on the best ways to advance STEM education.
SAVE THE DATE
25 October 2022
10:00 – 14:00 (IST)
11:00 – 15:00 (CET)
TYPE OF EVENT
On-site event
Open to the public, registration required
EVENT VENUE
Royal Irish Academy
19 Dawson St, Dublin 2, D02 HH58, Ireland
ORGANISERS
PROGRAMME
All times are in Irish Standard Time; UTC+1
Moderator: Dr Cliona Murphy, Dublin City University / Chair ALLEA WG Science Education
09:30 – Arrival and coffee
10:00 – Welcoming remarks
- Dr Mary Canning, President of the Royal Irish Academy
- Prof Luke Drury, Vice-President of ALLEA
10:15 – Keynote presentation
- Prof Hamsa Venkat, Dublin City University
11:15 – Keynote presentation
- Prof Justin Dillon, University College London
12:15 – Lunch break
13:00 – Panel discussion
- Prof Lucy Avraamidou, University of Groningen / Member ALLEA WG Science Education
- Dr Shane Bergin, University College Dublin
- Prof Timo Leuders, University of Education, Freiburg / Member ALLEA WG Science Education
- Dr John McCullagh, Stranmillis University College, Belfast
- Dr Eilish McLoughlin, Dublin City University
14:00 – Closing remarks
About the Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy (Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann) was founded in 1785 and is Ireland’s academy for the sciences, humanities and social sciences. The Academy provides expert advice, manages research projects, publishes books and journals and sustains a library. Election to membership of the Academy is the highest academic honour in Ireland and the Academy has currently approximately 500 members. Learn more: https://www.ria.ie/
About ALLEA
ALLEA is the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, representing more than 50 academies from over 40 countries in Europe. Since its foundation in 1994, ALLEA speaks out on behalf of its members on the European and international stages, promotes science as a global public good, and facilitates scientific collaboration across borders and disciplines. Learn more: https://www.allea.org
About the ALLEA WG Science Education
The ALLEA Working Group Science Education is committed to supporting the further progression of science education throughout Europe to ensure the development of the necessary knowledge, skills, and motivation of students to pursue careers in science and participate as active and informed citizens. Central themes of the group include climate change education, science education in the context of STEM curricula, and digitalization in science education. Learn more: https://allea.org/science-education/
Contact Person
Dr Mathijs Vleugel
Scientific Policy Officer
vleugel@allea.org