Latest News - NOVember 2010
National Award for Excellence in Teaching 2010
Congratulations to Eilish McLoughlin on winning the 2010 NAIRTL (National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning) National Award for Excellence in Teaching. NAIRTL received 37 nominations from 17 Higher Education Institutions and the standard of nominations was exceptionally high. Only 5 awards were made. So, we can be very proud of Eilish's achievement.
SCIENCE WEEK: Science Live 4 Teachers 2010
Bookings are now being taken for this year's Primary School Science Symposium, the RDS Science Live for Teachers.
Due to demand, early booking is strongly encouraged and places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Places can be reserved by email karen.sheeran@rds.ie or telephone 01-2407289.
For further information please see www.rds.ie/scienceliveforteachers.
2010 DCU President's Award for Civic Engagement
Congratulation to Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn and the Maths Learning Centre on winning the DCU Civic Engagement award (student category). Speaking at the event, Professor Ronnie Munck, Head of Civic and Global Engagement at DCU outlined the university’s civic engagement strategy and its various component elements. “This award was set up”, he said “to acknowledge the huge effort made by staff at DCU to contribute to the social, economic, pedagogic and cultural development of our local communities’. So congratulations to Eabhnat and to the many volunteer students on their success.
2010 DCU President's Award for Teaching and Learning
Congratulations to Paul van Kampen & Brien Nolan both CASTeL members who were nominated for this year's DCU President's Teaching Award.
Alas, there was only one winner amongst the numerous entries...and I'm thrilled to tell you that that winner was Dr. Paul van Kampen
Mentioned during the reading of his citation, was Paul's use of research-informed activities to enhance the teaching and learning in physics. Well done Paul
CASTeL Seminar
Dr. Maurice OReilly will present the CASTeL seminar before the summer holidays on aspects of mathematics education on Wednesday 16th June
To register your attendance, please RSVP: castel@dcu.ie by Friday 11th June.
All are welcome to attend
SMEC 2010 “Inquiry-based learning: Facilitating authentic learning experiences in science and mathematics”
DCU, Dublin, Ireland, September 16-17, 2010
TOPICS of interest include (but are not limited to) the following: · Breadth versus depth in science and mathematics curricula · Attitudes and perceptions of inquiry-based learning · Implications for teacher education; pre-service & in-service · Inquiry for teachers - challenges and rewards of implementation · Inquiry as a means versus inquiry as an outcome · Assessment of inquiry
Submissions can be made by emailing abstracts to: smec10@dcu.ie
IMPORTANT DATES
- EXTENDED Abstract Submission and Early Bird Registration: June 14, 2010
- Notification of Acceptance: June 21, 2010
- Paper Submission for Accepted Abstracts: July 30, 2010
"Inquiry-based learning: Facilitating authentic learning experiences in science and mathematics" is the fourth in a series of biennial international Science and Mathematics Education Conferences (SMEC) to be hosted by the Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning (CASTeL) of Dublin City University and St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin.
Inquiry-based learning has been chosen as the theme for this year’s conferences as this inductive method for teaching and learning has been shown to engage and stimulate students to continue to learn and pursue careers in areas of science and mathematics. Other family members of this inductive teaching method include discovery learning, problem-based learning, project-based learning, case-based learning and just-in-time teaching (Michael Prince and Felder, 2007). This conference will focus on the above mentioned themes in relation to this teaching method.
Conference participants wishing to give a poster, oral or workshop presentation which addresses the themes of the conference are invited to submit an abstract (max. 250 words) which will be reviewed by the organising committee. Based on their quality, a selection of participants will be invited to participate at the conference. Student prizes may be awarded to the best poster and oral presentation during the conference.
Submissions can be made by emailing abstracts to: smec10@dcu.ie
CONFIRMED PLENARY SPEAKERS TO DATE
- Jonathan Osborne, School of Education, Stanford University, California, USA
- Sarah Lubienski, College of Education, University of Illinois, USA
- Barbara Jaworski, Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University, UK
- Donna Messina, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
INVITED WORKSHOPS:
- ESTABLISH - European Science and Technology in Action Building Links with Industry, School and Home
- FIBONACCI Project - Large scale dissemination of inquiry based science and mathematics education
- NCCA: Assessment in Project Maths - Learning and Teaching for the 21st Century
Details of other seminars available here»
Postgraduate Opportunities are available
Please contact the CASTeL office for further information
Funding:
Funding is available for science and mathematics education from the following sources:
Funding from the seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7) is available for the promotion of careers in science and mathematics as well as for coordination and support actions to implement teacher training activities across Europe.
- FP7 – Science in Society (FP7-Ireland website)
- Science in Society 2010 work programme
Funding from the European Commission's Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual and Culture (EAEAC) is available through the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) under the following sections:
Other funding sources are available to support the activities of researchers in the research areas of science and mathematics education
