The new Science curriculum for Primary education


Πρακτικά Εκτεταμένων Συνόψεων Εργασιών
Published: Sep 20, 2023
Keywords:
Curricula Science primary school rationalism
Konstantinos Kotsis
Ourania Gikopoulou
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5978-3842
Matthaios Patrinopoulos
Konstantinos Mitzithras
Emmanouil Apostolakis
George Kalkanis
Abstract

During 2021, the new Science Curriculum for Primary School (grades 5 and 6) was completed, in synergy with those of Middle and High School Physics, in order to include some "basic" thematic units, which run through all grades, enriched gradually in every grade and class with more topics, taking into account the latest findings of science. Experimentation plays a key role in the educational process, in accordance with the scientific-educational methodology by inquiry, and learning is treated holistically and not piecemeal with the use of interdisciplinary information, embedded texts and additional digital material that inform students about technological achievements directing them towards critical thinking and rationalism. The New Curriculum provides students with motivation as well as the opportunity to acquire, apart from knowledge, also skills and form attitudes necessary for citizens of the 21st century. The paper presents the goals of the new Curriculum, its philosophy, its main innovative elements, the proposed methodology and good practices as well as the main results from its pilot implementation in Experimental Schools.

Article Details
  • Section
  • 15. CURRICULA AND TEXTBOOKS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Downloads
Author Biographies
Konstantinos Kotsis, University of Ioannina

Professor Pedagogical Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina

Ourania Gikopoulou, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Postdoc, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Primary School Teacher

Matthaios Patrinopoulos, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

PhD, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Education Consultant

Konstantinos Mitzithras, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

PhD, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Primary School Teacher

Emmanouil Apostolakis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

PhD, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Secondary School Physics Teacher

George Kalkanis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Emeritus Physics Professor, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

References
Γκικοπούλου Ο. (2019). «Η επιστημονική / εκπαιδευτική μέθοδος με διερεύνηση και ο επιστημονικός τρόπος σκέψης – Μια έρευνα», Πρακτικά 11ου Πανελλήνιου Συνεδρίου της Διδακτικής των Φυσικών Επιστημών και Νέων Τεχνολογιών στην Εκπαίδευση, Παν/μιο Δυτικής Μακεδονίας, 2019, http://synedrio2019.enephet.gr/?page_id=1386
Καλκάνης, Γ.Θ. (2021). Η Επιστημονική – Εκπαιδευτική Μέθοδος με Διερεύνηση και Καλές Πρακτικές. Έρευνα για την Εκπαίδευση στις Φυσικές Επιστήμες και την Τεχνολογία, 1(1), 21-38, https://doi.org/10.12681/riste.27267
Στύλος, Γ., Κώτσης, Κ. Θ., & Εμβαλωτής, Α. (2015). Πρακτικές εκπαιδευτικών Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης στη διδασκαλία. Φυσικές Επιστήμες στην Εκπαίδευση, 6, pp. 28-38.
Bolte, C., Holbrook, J., & Rauch, F. (2012). Inquiry-based Science Education in Europe: Reflections from the PROFILES Project. In Book of invited presenters of the 1st International PROFILES Conference 24th– 26th September.
Fitzgerald, A., & Smith, K. (2016). Science that Matters: Exploring Science Learning and Teaching in Primary Schools. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 41(4).
Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Jordt, Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the national academy of sciences, 11(23), σσ. 8410-8415.
Kapotis E., Kalkanis G. (2016). «Einstein’s Elevator in Class: A Self-Construction by Students for the Study of the Equivalence Principle», The Physics Teacher, Volume 54, Issue 7, pp. 404-407, 2016
Rocard report: "Science Education Now: A New Pedagogy for the Future of Europe". (2007). European Commission https://www.eesc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/resources/docs/rapportrocardfinal.pdf
Savery, J. R. (2006). Overview of Problem-based Learning: Definitions and Distinctions. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 1(1).