Mathematics and science education is a multi-faceted endeavor encompassing the creation of learning materials, preparation of teachers, and performing research on teaching and learning. At the Department of Science Teaching at the Weizmann Institute of Science, in Israel, the whole spectrum of these activities can be found under one roof. The Department was founded by the executive council of the Institute more than fifty years ago, as an acknowledgment of the great importance attributed by the Weizmann Institute to science education and in recognition that it is an academic discipline which will “enable young scientists interested in this activity to graduate doing their doctorate in science education” (de Shalit, 1968, p. 81).
Since its inception, the Department was involved in the development of innovative and up-to-date learning materials and pedagogical models and their implementation, teacher professional development and research on science teaching and learning as continuous, long-term activities that feed and guide each other through interactive spiral cycles. These activities are conceived, guided and tested with the highest academic standards, using and refining existing theoretical frames and methodologies or producing new ones when needed, with the ultimate goals of:
Advancing mathematics and science education as an academic discipline.
Enhancing the quality and effectiveness of mathematics and science education in schools.
The Department carries out research and development work in the teaching and learning of seven disciplines: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, Science and Technology in junior-high school. In addition, there are programs that focus on interdisciplinary work and Departmental programs that involve collaboration of faculty from several domains, such as the Rothschild-Weizmann graduate program for practicing science and mathematics teachers. Most of the work is geared towards science and mathematics education in grades 7–12. Recently, work in mathematics, and in science and technology education has been extended to grades K-6, as well as to introductory science and mathematics at the tertiary level.
This book offers reflections on the evolution
The book as a whole, as well as its individual chapters, are intended for a wide audience of curriculum developers, teacher educators, researchers on teaching and learning of science and mathematics and policy makers at the university level interested in advancing models of academic departments working under a common philosophy.
Throughout the book, readers will probably sense the passion, sense of mission and dedication of the faculty members as they present just parts of their work.