Vol. 31 No. 1 (2022):  “New ways of thinking, acting and sharing science”

“New ways of thinking, acting and sharing science”

The teaching and learning of science in a formal context is important to obtain a scientific perspective of the world, essential for a full and responsible citizenship of current students, fostering civic awareness and avoiding fundamentalisms of various kinds.

Non-formal contexts also contribute to this appropriation of scientific literacy or public understanding of science. Several research institutions contribute to the dissemination of science among students at different levels of education, which does not relieve the teacher of his/her role as a trainer, to enable the student to have contact with the assumptions of science, to contribute to research in teaching and learning experimental sciences and the transposition of scientific knowledge to the school domain.

In Portugal, the Profile of Students Leaving Compulsory Schooling refers, as areas to be developed, to scientific knowledge and experimental activities that mobilize skills of understanding and critical thinking, creativity and collaboration, planning and decision-making capacity. The results of the PISA 2018 international study by the Organization for Cooperation and Development (OECD), although placing the average assessment of portuguese students in science below the 2015 results, reinforce the ability to recognize a correct explanation for a phenomenon and identify valid conclusions. The vision of experimental science teaching is broader than the simple carrying out of material handling activities or compliance with an experimental protocol, but we still have to bet on the scientific-pedagogical qualification of teachers and schools.

In other latitudes, such as in Latin America, for example, cooperation efforts have been developed in the training of science teachers or Science Clubs have been created with a view to improving their qualification and the consequent change in professional practices. Globally, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations consists of 17 Goals and its operationalization will require scientifically enlightened student-citizens to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

In this volume, we intend to bring together a series of articles that contribute to a broader view of science, recognizing the excellence of teachers, science disseminators and scientists. However, it is our duty to reach out to everyone, in order to get more enlightened students who support their decisions with the basis of scientifically and pedagogically well-trained teachers.

All interested parties are invited to submit their manuscripts to this issue 31 of Revista Saber & Educar, trying to open the way to new kinds of thinking, acting and sharing science.

Organization: Prof. Margarida Quinta e Costa, Escola Superior de Educação de Paula Frassinetti