Research
Research of the Institute for Science Education (ISE) focuses on subject-specific thinking in science subjects and on practical knowledge and skills of science teachers. ISE prioritises research in subject-specific and educational innovations, conducting many practice-based projects in collaboration with stakeholders, particularly Dutch schools.
Research Focus
ISE's research, primarily design-based, focuses on creating scientific knowledge and educational products. This research is collaborative, involving educational institutions and teachers. Activities span various domains, mainly in upper secondary schools, and are subject-specific. Efforts are underway to enhance the research profile by integrating university science education and adopting an interdisciplinary, STEM-based approach.
Themes
Key ongoing research themes at ISE include:
- Design-based learning.
- Scientific literacy and citizenship education.
- Digital literacy and computational thinking.
- Education for sustainable development.
- Teachers' practical knowledge and skills (incl. pedagogical content knowledge, pedagogical design capacity and teacher noticing)
Projects
The Insitute for Science Education is involved in the following projects.
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DoSE: Development of STEAM education
DOSE aims to lead European schools to improve existing STEAM approaches and guide them in fostering young Europeans’ interest and skills in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math).
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Strengthening Research Practicals in Secondary Education
This project promotes practical learning in secondary education through the EOES, enhances school experiments, and integrates the Olympiad into the curriculum. It fosters interdisciplinary work and talent discovery in students.
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TeaEdu4CT
This project aims at developing educational material to teach CT to pre-service teachers. A consortium consisting of research institutes from ten countries will design ten modules. The Radboud University team focuses on developing Module O2 and O5.
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Computational and Mathematical Thinking
The project investigates how a teaching-learning strategy focusing on digital tool use can support 16-17 years old pre-university students in developing computational thinking skills in pure and applied mathematics lessons.
Dudoc-Bèta Programme
As a first-grade beta teacher, you can conduct beta-didactical research for four years, three days a week, with a Dudoc-Beta PhD scholarship from Netherlands Initiative for Education Research (NRO). During the research period, your school will receive a subsidy to appoint a substitute. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and coordinated by Radboud University.
It offers first-degree secondary school teachers in the subjects biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and NLT (Nature, Life, and Technology) the opportunity to carry out doctoral research alongside their teaching job. This research should be subject-didactical, at the interface of educational research and STEM subject-specific research.
The Dudoc-Bèta programme is under the responsibility of Erik Barendsen. The project leader is Floor Binkhorst and the programme is supported by Simone Meeuwsen.
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Dudoc-Bèta 2022
The Dudoc-Bèta cohort 2022-2026 offers first-degree secondary school teachers of biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and NLT (Nature, Life, and Technology) the opportunity to conduct a PhD research next to their teaching job.
Research Data Management
Research Data Management (RDM) focuses on the collection, storage, protection, and availability of research data for re-use or reproduction. The university emphasises the importance of clear, accurate, and safe data management processes. To support this, it has implemented a general RDM policy, which forms the foundation for more detailed data management policies within its various institutes, including the Institute for Science Education.
For more information, please get in touch with Mara Seali.