What is informal science education?
Informal science education supports people of all ages and walks of life in exploring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The journal Nature reports in its June 3 issues that, in a recent survey about the relative importance of education and research, university-level science faculty came down on the side of education. But while the majority regard themselves as skilled teachers, most also believe the overall level of teaching at the undergraduate level is of poor quality. The biggest problem, the report suggests, is that reward structures favor research.
The journal comments that these results "help to account for the notably slow uptake of pedagogical innovations in the teaching of science to undergraduates. But there is strong evidence that talking at students isn't nearly as effective as engaging them with cooperative, hands-on learning activities." The journal suggests that universities and funders should find ways "to allow academic scientists to act on their conviction that teaching and research are equally important."
The survey was carried out last year by Nature Publishing Group's educational division among 450 science faculty in 30 countries.