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             Information from the European Southern Observatory

ESO Press Release 07/03

2 April 2003

For immediate release
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"Physics and Life" for Europe's Science Teachers [1]

Part 1 of 2

The EIROforum Contribution to the European Science and Technology
Week 03

What do you know about modern science? Was your school science
teacher inspiring and enthusiastic? Or was physics class a good time
to take a nap?

Unfortunately, many young Europeans don't have the fondest memories
of science in school, and the result is a widespread disinterest and
lack of understanding of science among adults. This has become a real
problem - especially at a time when science is having a growing
impact on our daily lives, and when society needs more scientists
than ever! 

What can be done? Some of Europe's leading research organisations,
scientists and teachers have put their heads together and come up
with a unique approach called "Physics on Stage". This will be the
third year that these institutes, with substantial support from the
European Commission, are running this project - attacking the problem
at its roots.

EIROforum and "Physics on Stage 3"

"Physics On Stage 3" is based on the very successful "Physics On
Stage" concept that was introduced in 2000. It is directed towards
science teachers and students in Europe's secondary schools. It is a
part of the year-long build-up to the European Science and Technology
Week 2003 (3-9 November), an initiative by the European Commission,
and is run by seven of Europe's leading Intergovernmental Research
Organizations (the EIROforum) [1].

The project addresses the content and format of science teaching in
European schools, seeking to improve the quality of teaching and to
find new ways to stimulate pupils to take an interest in science.

Innovative and inspirational science teaching is seen as a key
component to attract young people to deal with scientific issues,
whether or not they finally choose a career in science. Hence,
"Physics On Stage 3" aims to stimulate the interest of young people
through the school teachers, who can play a key role in reversing the
trend of falling interest in science and current scientific research.

The goals of "Physics On Stage 3"

"Physics on Stage 3" also aims to facilitate the exchange of good
practice and innovative ideas among Europe's science teachers and to
provide a forum for a broad debate among educators, administrators
and policy-makers about the key problems in science education today.

Moreover, it will make available the considerable, combined expertise
of the EIROforum organisations to the European scientific teaching
community, in order to promote the introduction of "fresh" science
into the curricula and thus to convey a more realistic image of
modern science to the pupils.

"Physics on Stage 3" is concerned with basic science and also with
the cross-over between different science disciplines - a trend
becoming more and more important in today's science, which is not
normally reflected in school curricula. A key element of the
programme is to give teachers an up-to-date "insiders'" view of what
is happening in science and to tell them about new, highly-diverse
and interesting career opportunities for their pupils.

Theme of the activities

The theme of "Physics on Stage" this year is "Physics and Life",
reflecting the decision to broaden the Physics on Stage activities to
encompass all the natural sciences. Including other sciences will
augment the already successful concept, introducing a mixture of
cross-over projects that highlight the multidisciplinary aspects of
modern science.

Among the many subjects to be presented are radiation, physics and
the environment, astrobiology (the search for life beyond earth),
complex systems, self-organising systems, sports science, the medical
applications of physics, mathematics and epidemiology, etc.

The main elements

National activities

"Physics on Stage 3" has already started and National Steering
Committees in 22 countries, composed of eminent science teachers,
scientists, administrators and others involved in setting school
curricula, are now preparing related programs in their
countries. Through these national activities, outstanding individuals
will be selected to represent their teachers' communities at the
final international event, the "Physics on Stage 3" festival. A list
of national contact points is attached below.

International festival

The high-profile "festival" during the European Science and
Technology Week 2003 will stimulate the dissemination of successful
education tools and methods, identify the most effective ways to
support teachers and motivate novel developments in science
education. It will take place at the ESA-ESTEC site in Noordwijk (The
Netherlands), from November 8 - 15, 2003. The climax of the event
will be the presentation of the European Science Teaching Awards, in
recognition of teaching excellence, inspiration and motivation of
young people. 

Online Resource Archive

An online archive of the best teaching materials and practices in
Europe will be established, forming a unique 'resource centre', which
will make available all of the interesting materials identified
through the programme and provide a forum for exchange which will
last well beyond the duration of the activity.

More information

Full information about "Physics on Stage 3" is available at the
central website:

                           www.physicsonstage.net

From here there is also direct connection to the national websites
and the many related activities all over Europe. Be sure to check the
site at regular intervals for new information about the developments!

 - Continued -

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