Brussels, 9-11 March 2005
Stand 31 ZUKUNFTSWERKSTATT – Didactic concept for knowledge transfer
Museumsverein für Technik und Arbeit e.V. Mannheim / Academy of Technology Assessment of the state of Baden Würtemberg, Stuttgart. University of Education, Heidelberg. State Museum for Technology and Labour, Mannheim. The European Academy of Science and Arts, represented by the Institude of Advanced Studies on Sustainability, IFOK, Institute for Organisational Communications Children and adolescents
Adults, general public, representatives of industry, scientists and engineers
1. Improve an up to now insufficient knowledge of science and technology in the public. 2. Address a sustained scepticism towards new technologies and develop openness for technological reasoning. 3. Build up trust in decision makers from politics and industry. 4. Stimulate interest of incoming university students in natural sciences and engineering. 5. To master the future problems of our society, we need the development and the application of sustainable technologies and a constructive dialogue with the public.
2000
Since the attitude of the public towards technological developments does not only depend on the scientific awareness, but, to a great deal on the public understanding, the Zukunftswerkstatt has developed a specific didactic concept for the transfer of knowledge. This concept differs considerably from the specialist science transfer and is charactericed by:
The ‘Zukunftswerkstatt’ contains four blocs which are linked structurally and in its contents. The ‘Technology panel’ is the forum where experts from science, industry,administration and politics are cooperating on specific topics, such as climat /energy. The objective here is to identify the actions needed to meet the requirements of the agenda 21.They pose the question what has already been achivied in this respect, what should be achivied and what has to be done by the actors involved to reach the goals. The results of there activities are discussed in the ‘panels for adolescents and adults’ and are subsequently presented to the public within the program of a ‘science and technology week’. The ‘laboratory’ offers a learning enviroment to children and adolescents from 6 to 16 years of age,where they can perform experiments in small groups assisted by especially trained teachers, in order to support the individual learning process.
A new project based on the experience of the Zukunftswerkstatt: Global learning - ‘living responsibly in my community and the world’.
An evaluation of global learning has shown that the current emphasis on educational curricula lies on ecology and economy. Sustainable development needs a global view. The difference in wealth between the industrialized countries and the developing countries raises questions of equity in enviromental matters that often result in major conflicts. Success in sustainable development will not be achieved unless the perspectives of different cultures can be incorporated into the process.In order to be successful it is essential that education is based on the cultural heritage of the region, implemented by local traditions and adapted to the local present and future needs.
In the light of this background we stipulate: ecology, economy, society and culture play equally important roles and are interlinked.
The European Academie of Science and Arts,represented by its Institute of Advanced Studies on Sustainability and IFOK propose to build up a European network based on the conception and the experience gained in the Zukunftswerkstatt. In addition to the ecological,economical and societal aspects a specific emphasis will be given to the cultural aspect. The project will provide a supplement for national curricula with a pan European perspective. It will build up on the existing structures of the countries participating and the experience provided by there networks of scientists and teachers and the development of teaching modules on the subjects.
In addition, the Institute of Advaced Studies on Sustainability also offers in cooperation with the German Institute of Science and Technology of the Technical University of Munich (GIST) and the Technical University of Singapore worldwide the first master program in industrial ecology.The programm is designed to strengthen the capability of the students to understand,design, increase efficiency and manage complex technical systems with the aim to optimally serve the producers of such systems,the end-users and the enviroment.
Technology panel: 40 experts of research, industry, administration and politics.
Public panel: 200 participants. Students age 16 to 18, adults, experts of the Technology panel.
Laboratory: 2003/2004 142 school classes. About 5oo visitors per month.
Technology week: 50 events in the city of Mannheim ( Research Institutions, Industry, Museum) About 1500 visitors.
The project has been evaluated and recommended to the state goverment of Baden Württemberg as an excellent example to boost the interest in science and technology to the public and especially to young people.
Based on this experience and others, the State has decidet to start a new teaching field called"natural sciences and technology" in the secondary schools from 2005 onwards. At present a working group of high school teachers, professors of technical universities and engineers of industry are developing the new educational curricula and tools
Email: JosefBugl@AOL.com or ortwin.renn@soz.uni-stuttgart.de
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