About – Science Education and Local Communities

Socio-scientific issues such as energy, natural resources, water, and health are found across all Canadian communities. Disengagement by students in school thwarts their understanding of these important topics. A powerful way forward is to work with teachers and students to frame interdisciplinary science topics taught in classrooms in relation to their local communities, i.e., community-based science. Little research has been conducted regarding student engagement through the development of school curriculum and local school communities. The research project aim is to investigate the engagement of science students in schools by connecting science education and local communities. The objectives are:

Investigate how community-based school science can activate student engagement in schools.
Develop science teachers’ knowledge and curricular resources using a design-based research approach to support community-based school science.