Study visit

Study visit. Silkeborg. Denmark. 26th-30th September 2011

Quality & cohesion in teaching Science:

collaboration across general education levels.

Silkeborg42.000 people municipality

High living standard

Merchandising area,not industrial

5,5 million inhabitants

128.4 inhab/km², very flat, all areas suitable for living Highest tax rates in Europe

One of the 5 most expensive countries in the world

Highest rate of similar incomes in families

The least differences in gender

They produce and use green technology

Bike paths everywhere.%55 people cycles everyday

Denmark

Balanced economy

Exports: Technology

Food

Toys Disegn

Danish Education System

Most of schools are public, supported by tax funds. There are also some few granted private schools. Education is compulsory but escolaritation is not.

There is a year of pre-school. Kindergardens have fee. Some people take care of 3 or 4 children, home.

Primary and lower secundary school are under Municipality government. Ministry of Education established curriculums. It takes 9 years long.

There is a tenth one, which is not compulsory and it is not free.

Upper secondary level centres are state supported self-governing intitutions. It takes 3 years long. Then, students attend to universities or vocational training. They

have the highest rate of people starting and finishing the grade they choose (%85)

Voel folkskole

240 children18 members of staff,

not all full-time

Self government

Schools get funds in a taximeter system, an amount per child.

That makes little schools to get closed.

They manage everything: contracts, loans, leisure activities after school…

Children have school from 8:00 to 13:00

They have their home-made lunch and if they want, they can remain at school for leisure activities from 14:00 to 16:00 or so.

Parents pay these educators’ fee.

They coordinate with teachers.

Up to now, it has not been an inclusive school.

Children with disorders or special needs are in other classes.

They are thinking in changing that.

In this school every morning they have a musical activity all together first, and then, each one go to their class.

Teachers mostly have maths or danish lessons.

They have a well equipped class-room for Science.

This school has increased his figures because parents want more and more giving children chances and experiences with Nature and encouraging their creativity.

Farming at school

They grow up chicken and goats.

Families take the charge of animals at holidays and they enjoy it.

They killed the animals when they are big enough. Children can attend the killing and also help if they want.

Science week in DenmarkThey do outdoor activities all over Denmark

This year in Voel, children have built a dam in the river to see its consequences, and later they have built a wooden bridge.

Visits to Aqua Centre

They have some nearby ecosystems models to be searched

Older students teach to youngers

Experiences

Visits to Secondary Centres

Silkeborg Gymnasium

Upper Secondary Centre

1350 students, 150 members of staff

Nice learning enviroment

Students have the duty of enterteining the rest of the school comunity every fornight, so once a year each group shows a sketch in the hall.

There is a concern with Nature and Science.

They search on PISA results

What can be done to encourage Science learning?

Young people, specially girls, do not love been scientists

They want to show Science is fun

Some conclusions of the visit

Children must have chances to have contact with Nature

Schools must be well equipped

Lower grade teachers must be trained in Science skills

There must be a collaboration among stages.