SciCar seeks to systematically raising expertise among researchers/educators involved in S&T teacher education: previously, STE in UT was ineffective in making teaching careers in science disciplines attractive and enabling teaching to meet professional needs, re- context-based approaches using theoretical/research-based evidence.
The importance for society is:
reduce the gap between scientist and science educator beliefs in training of future science-related teachers by geog, chem, phys staff co-supervising PhD students alongside sc educ staff
seek involvement of the sc educ community in making the teaching profession more attractive. SciCar enacted research seminars for staff and PhD students, ran 3 PhD student schools involving science/science education staff
and held expert seminars involving overseas personnel
instituting a paradigm change in STEM-related teachers through developing a coursebook, Moodle course and involving UT science staff in SciCar activities
emphasise competence development in promoting student science-related career awareness.
valuing job shadow and site visit events, seminars and schools, focusing on career awareness orientations
identifying knowledge transfer between science development and science education, co-sharing PhD students,involving supervisors from UH and WEIZ
recognising importance of transversal skills and career awareness attributes
Within UT, SciCar overall objectives are
Raise the level of expertise among researchers and educators involved in S&T education.
Address academic training of science education researchers, making science teaching careers attractive through encouraging relevant science teaching approaches in schools
Enable academic training to reflect context-based approaches, responsible research & innovation aspects, digital learning and assessment and career awareness
Reduce the gap in science education between researchers in science disciplines and educators (preparing teachers/future researchers) by broadening expertise
Strengthen intra/inter-institutional synergies of units in S&T education at UT and Estonian outreach institutions, with two internationally leading counterparts
Create a Centre of Excellence for the Baltic & E. European countries emphasising early career researchers/PhD and post-doctoral in science education
