Science and Mathematics Education Conference 2008 (SMEC 2008)

SMEC participants at the South Observatory, Dunsink

The third Science and Mathematics Education Conference (SMEC) was held in DCU on 11th and 12th September under the auspices of CASTeL, the cross-campus Centre for the Advancement of Science Teaching and Learning. SMEC 2008 was opened by Prof. Maria Slowey (Vice-President for Learning Innovation, DCU) and Dr Pauric Travers (President, St Patrick’s College). SMEC 2008 had as its theme, “Sciences serving science: Cross-disciplinary issues in mathematics and science education”.

Over 80 participants, from more than 12 countries, discussed issues such as curriculum and assessment in mathematics and science, scientific literacy, inquiry-based learning and teacher preparation and support. The second afternoon and evening were held at Dunsink Observatory in collaboration with the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. There, participants considered outreach to the public at large as well as national policy and practice in support of science and mathematics

Keynote speakers included Prof. Uri Zoller of Haifa University, Israel; Prof. David Treagust, Curtin University, Australia; Prof. Norman Lederman, Illinois Institute of Technology, USA; Prof. Doris Jorde, University of Oslo, Norway, Ms. Jenifer Burden, Twentyfirst Century Science, UK; and Dr. Niall Smith, Blackrock Castle Observatory and CIT.