The STED (Science Teachers EDucation) training program: Theoretical basis and application

Abstract

Despite the significant changes of the last decades in the Greek compulsory educational system, the PISA results along with the common sense indicate that science education is not particularly successful. In addition, the international suggestions regarding the selection of the content and the relevant methods of its teaching are not usually followed. Having in mind these deficiencies, we planned, implemented and evaluated a research and training programme for in-service teachers regarding the current trends of science teaching (e.g., inquiry, content transformation, etc.). In the particular programme participated 13 in-service teachers organized in three groups: Pre-school, Primary school, and Non formal education. Results were very encouraging, and in the present study we discuss the theoretical foundations of the programme along to its main characteristics, and we attempt an overall evaluation of it, in light of the potential of its implementation in a wider scale