New Perspectives in Science Education
Initial Results from Pilot Phase of the Ark of Inquiry project: Using Inquiry-based Science Education Techniques to Foster Responsible Research and Innovation in Science Learning
Lauren Bohatka, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (Italy)
Meelis Brikker, University of Tartu (Estonia)
Bulent Cavas, Bahcesehir Egitim Kurumlari Anonim Sirketi (Turkey)
Marianne Lind, University of Tartu (Estonia)
Margus Pedaste, University of Tartu (Estonia)
Mónika Reti, Hungarian Research Teachers’ Association (Hungary)
Ruediger Tiemann, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Chemie (Germany)
Abstract
The Ark of Inquiry project aims to raise youth awareness to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) by providing young European citizens (7 to 18-year-olds) with a pool of engaging activities focused on inquiry-based learning to improve their inquiry skills, increase their awareness and understanding of conducting ‘real’ science, and prepare them to participate in different roles in the European research and innovation process. In order to achieve these aims, the project 1) has developed a framework for identifying inquiry activities that promote pupils’ awareness of RRI, as well as an evaluation and awards system; 2) has selected and collected existing inquiry-based learning activities and environments from various national and international projects which have met the Ark of Inquiry criteria for inquiry learning; 3) has made these activities available through the Ark of Inquiry platform in order to bring together inquiry activities, stakeholders (teachers, science and teacher education students, staff of universities) and institutions (schools, research centres, museums, universities, etc.); 4) intends to train at least 1.100 teachers to support pupils’ inquiry-based learning activities in a manner that attracts pupils’ interest and motivation towards RRI in their science courses; and 5) plans to implement the inquiry activities on a large-scale across European school networks. The project has also developed the first version of pedagogical scenarios to support teachers in adopting an inquiry approach in the classroom that is linked with RRI.
The findings from pilots might be of interest for many others who are trying to implement RRI. The platform, already active in 7 pilot countries, will connect formal learning settings and curricula to centres for science and research, so that generations of scientists from different scientific domains can meet each other. It will be updated based on the information from these 7 pilot countries so that teachers from all 12 participating countries will be trained to support pupils in the Ark of Inquiry learning journey.
