Teachers, time to rethink how you teach science
The EU-funded project PROFILES (Professional reflection-oriented focus on inquiry-based learning and education through science) worked toward this ambitious goal. Espousing a socio-scientific strategy that emphasised student motivation, the project exploited inquiry-based science education (IBSE) by empowering teachers to adopt better teaching methods that appeal to students. To achieve its aims, the project brought together 20 partners from almost as many European countries to develop teacher partnerships, long-term training modules and IBSE teaching materials. It offered teachers new resources to develop more creative learning and problem-solving approaches. One important project achievement was the successful organisation of the 1st International PROFILES Conference on Stakeholders' Views, which took place in Berlin, Germany in 2012. Throughout its mandate, the project team networked with different stakeholders and integrated their recommendations to help render science education more meaningful for students. The interaction has helped bridge the gap between science education and practice to further IBSE. Another important achievement was the development of innovative teaching training materials in collaboration with several hundred teachers. This was followed by a model for continuous professional development for teachers, helping them as well to develop self-efficacy and improve science teaching. Mechanisms to assess the effectiveness and impact of the project, its tools and resources were also developed. The project has helped to raise student motivation to learn science. It has also brought about novel student-centred cognitive learning based on science that is relevant to everyday life and societal values. It is making science learning more interesting and useful than ever before.