Overview

Science and Teaching
One of the main concerns in the European Union is to promote skills, enhance understanding and facilitate informed public debate in science through improved biotechnological education. Europe needs more scientists and needs to promote scientific careers better. Attracting young students to science is influenced by the way teachers themselves understand science. This is in many cases profoundly apart from the science performed in laboratories and influenced by stereotyped ideas. Moreover, it looks like, that there are obstacles in the relationship between science teachers, research institutions and universities despite some initiatives, as is the case of “Ciência Viva”, the Portuguese Agency for public engagement of science. In this context, a new interaction between teachers and scientists is being promoted by some of the most renowned research institutions in the world such as the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).

Why the Courses
Nowadays, all school curricula include new emergent technologies. The understanding of this new knowledge can be obtained through a practical hands-on approach. The IBMC in partnership with FCUP and supported by EMBL and EMBO has developed these Practical Course for School Teachers to encourage teachers to apply state-of-the-art science to the classroom in an interactive way. During the course, teachers will work with IBMC updating their scientific knowledge. At the Botany Department of FCUP, participants will discuss how the hands-on practice can be taken back to the school and learn about exiting activities that can be used in the classroom.