Science LinX looking for teachers to test innovative teaching modules

Over the last year development teams in 10 countries comprising teachers, academics, teacher educators and science centre staff have developed teaching modules on science topics as part of the European Irresistible project. A module has been developed at the University of Groningen on carbohydrates in breast milk .

The cross-curricular teaching modules are suited to biology, physics or chemistry lessons in the fourth, fifth and sixth years of senior general secondary (HAVO) and pre-university education (VWO) and cover current scientific topics such as nanotechnology, the science of Polar Regions, climate change and carbohydrates.

The modules use the investigative learning method, which encourages pupils to actively engage with scientific knowledge, and have a strong focus on the ethics of science. Furthermore, they allow for various approaches: traditional classroom teaching, working in groups, conducting experiments, debating a topic or developing an exhibition.

The modules will be ready for academic year 2015/2016, and a number will be made available for use in the Netherlands: the module that was developed by the Dutch team, a module on the science of the Polar Regions and one or two more. We are looking for biology, physics or chemistry teachers who would like to try out one of these modules in class.

We will hold a number of national and regional training sessions to explain how to use the modules, the various approaches and the section on ethics. We will also monitor experiences of what it’s like to teach the modules. The times and locations of these sessions will be announced at a later date.

To find out more, download the flyers on seeking teachers and the Groningen module or contact us for further information.

Eva Teuling & Jan Apotheker, Science LinX, University of Groningen

Find out more about Irresistible on our special information page on this project or on the project website .