Speaker
Description
Science education research suggests that STEM learning for young students may be especially enhanced through the combined use of inquiry and creativity in formal and informal settings. Consistent with the increasing emphasis on interdisciplinarity and the integration of the arts into STEM instruction (from STEM to STEAM), the CREATIONS initiative within the HORIZON-2020 framework brings together 16 partners from 10 European countries with the specific aim to spark young people’s interest in science and in following scientific careers through the design and implementation of a series of innovative activities grounded in a creativity-enriched inquiry-based science education pedagogical framework. Art is applied as a tool to make the non-visible world of high-energy physics (HEP) visible and to promote a long-lasting dialogue between basic science, the art world and educational communities for a greater appreciation and understanding of particle physics research and its contribution to society. As a good practice example, Science&Art@School was established as an education and outreach initiative (part of the art@CMS programme at CERN), that aims to act as an inspiring springboard for engaging the youth in the excitement of scientific research in HEP. By offering such synergies between the three actors, sparking school students’ interest in science and – on the long range – in choosing scientific careers is supposed to arise. This consequent bridging is based on an effective community of researchers, teachers and school students to empower sharing and exploiting innovatively the collective power of unique scientific resources. This talk will present examples of HEP-related education activities successfully implemented by various CREATIONS partners over the last two years, based on which implications for physics education research and practice will be identified.
