Shaping science education for the future

19 February 2010

Our Education department, together with an external steering group, is working on an independent report looking at the future of science education. The key question is: what should the future of science education look like to inspire young people and ensure they understand the concepts, processes and role of science in the world?

Historically, education has been considered in a piecemeal fashion and consequent policies have not been easily translated into practice. By viewing science education in a holistic manner, the report will bring together aspects of formal and informal learning across the curriculum, and will look at assessment, professional practice and ethos, and leadership and capacity.

The group will use the report, scheduled for publication later in the year, as the foundation for a series of nationwide debates. These will see invited audiences from across the learning sectors help to refine the goals and implementation framework set out in the report. "Our long-term visions for science education - the starting-point of our society's scientific literacy - can only be achieved by working to common goals and addressing the current challenges as a whole," said Derek Bell, the Wellcome Trust's Head of Education.