Regional Training Course for Teachers to Introduce Nuclear Sciences in Secondary Schools through Innovative Approaches

Application Deadline for Nominee(s) of Invited IAEA Member States: 31 May 2018

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, on-site visits and co-curricular activities will be technically-oriented structured for middle or secondary teachers of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and earth sciences.

Purpose

The purpose of this course is to train secondary or middle school science teachers in Member States in strengthening their understanding of nuclear science and technology topics and to convey it to students through effective and engaging teaching or learning processes.

Expected Outputs

The training course is intended to produce adequately trained science teachers in the region who can subsequently propagate the program within their own countries for integrating human resources development related to enhancing nuclear science and technology and outreach efforts.

Scope and Nature

The training course will feature a series of presentations, practical exercises and on-site visits to facilitate sharing experiences by:

1. Introducing the participants to various learning modules and strategies for the implementation of selected activities, experimental procedures and other resources that are compatible with secondary level curriculum for nuclear sciences
2. Conducting training activities for teachers to give them necessary insights to the learning experience and their individual plan to integrate such activities into their curriculum
3. Enhancing the understanding of participants about applications of nuclear sciences through visits to nuclear facilities