Innovations in Science Teacher Education in the Asia Pacific

The aim of this book is to bring together some examples of research being undertaken at a range of levels, from studies of curriculum and assessment tools, to classroom case studies, and investigations into models of teacher professional learning and development.

This book is based on presentations at the International Science Education Conference (ISEC) 2014. It showcases a selection of the best papers by researchers and science teachers from the Asia-Pacific region, North America and the United Kingdom. Centered on the theme of “Pushing the boundaries – Investing in our future”, they pursue new ways of helping learners appreciate the diversity and changes in science that result from a globalised world facing complex and diverse environmental and technological issues. The chapters touch on various themes in science education that explore and investigate issues of scientific literacy, societal challenges and affect, and teacher professional development. Its comprehensive themes make it a valuable textbook for graduate students of master’s and Ph.D. programs. It also appeals to pre-service and in-service teachers as a resource on innovative pedagogical practices and creative methods of professional development. With a selection that emphasises the research-practice nexus in education research, it serves as an introductory handbook for teachers to connect with the current issues facing science education.

This book presents innovations in teaching and learning science, novel approaches to science curriculum, cultural and contextual factors in promoting science education and improving the standard and achievement of students in East Asian countries. The authors in this book discuss education reform and science curriculum changes and promotion of science and STEM education, parental roles and involvement in children's education, teacher preparation and professional development and research in science education in the context of international benchmarking tests to measure the knowledge of mathematics and science such as the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and achievement in science, mathematics and reading like Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Among the high achieving countries, the performance of the students in East Asian countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China (Shanghai) are notable. This book investigates the reasons why students from East Asian countries consistently claim the top places in each and every cycle of those study. It brings together prominent science educators and researchers from East Asia to share their experience and findings, reflection and vision on emerging trends, pedagogical innovations and research-informed practices in science education in the region. It provides insights into effective educational strategies and development of science education to international readers.

This book presents an Asian perspective on transformative science education in the context of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The chapters are written by contributors who practiced science education for sustainability in a research project entitled “Teacher Education for ESD in the Asia-Pacific Region” from 2017 to 2019, supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO. The book showcases the contributors’ innovations in science education for sustainability, presenting case studies of science teaching and learning, science curriculum and assessment, science education in collaboration with local communities, and science teacher education. Embodying Asian sustainability education paradigms, policies, and practices, these case studies depict the diversity and uniqueness of natural, social, and cultural contexts in Asia, while demonstrating their commonalities. Through examining these case studies, this book aims to provide examples for praxis, and prospects, for new science classes, curricula, and teacher education in implementing education for sustainable development.