Regional Training Course on Train the Trainers on Nuclear Sciences in Secondary Schools

Purpose

The purpose of the event is to train the participants on essential and appropriate information about nuclear sciences and how to communicate such knowledge to schoolteachers

Project Background

The significant industrial and economic growth in Asia and the Pacific involving nuclear science and technology (NST) will necessitate an increase in the demand of human resource development in the nuclear sector. It is therefore imperative to enhance the understanding of students on nuclear science and technology so as to reach out to the next generation of scientists and engineers. The IAEA has been encouraging introduction and strengthening of nuclear science and technology education in secondary schools to support sustainability of peaceful applications of nuclear technology in Member States. The implementation the IAEA TC project RAS/0/065 during 2012-2016 has provided valuable expertise in successfully introducing NST in secondary schools in the Asia-Pacific region in pilot countries to promote the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) approach to allow students to experience problem solving in everyday situations through scientific learning. The project has led to development of information, education and communication materials and hands-on exercises, as well as co-curricular activities have made nuclear concepts more interesting to the younger generation. Countries that implemented the pilot activities demonstrated the success that can be achieved by the engagement of two sectors – the nuclear sector to provide the technical and scientific expertise and the educational sector to ensure the delivery of the topics in the classroom. Encouraged by the success achieved, a new TC project RAS/0/079 – “Educating Secondary Students and Science Teachers on Nuclear Science and Technology” has been initiated to now expand the project to all the Member States in the Asia-pacific region. The present training course is specifically designed for high or middle school science teachers to provide essential information related to the basics of nuclear science, applications of nuclear sciences, and risk management of nuclear technology. The approach will be introducing teachers to new and innovative methods to deliver the information to students through academic as well as extra-curricular approaches. This 2-week course will be of great value to educators for developing a deeper understanding of nuclear science and to convey this through innovative approaches information inside as well as outside the classroom. Presentations, laboratory work, facility visits and co-curricular activities will be technically-oriented and structured for middle or secondary teachers of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and earth sciences.