Seminar on "Formal and Informal Science Education of Students with Special Needs"

 

Session on:

Hands-on Science and Students with Special Needs

It is well known hands-on activities are um powerful instrument in the learning of science.

The establishment of a wide and strongly disseminated scientific literacy in our modern societies is fundamental to their cohesion and sustainable development. In this process any kind of exclusion must be prevented.

In many different ways we can approach the understanding of science.

On the other hand the process of "learning" science, specially if in a hands-on experiments based self-committed way may bring important developmental benefits to children and students with special needs

The school, institutions dealing with students with special needs, science centers and museums, the university and research laboratories can and should work together trying to facilitate and develop ways to approach Science to disabled peoples.

In this session we may to raise an open discussion on those topics focusing on three levels we would like to see actively cooperating:

 

                    1) Schools and  institutions dealing with the education of students with special needs. Problems and concrete solutions.

                    2) Museums and Science centres. Examples of good practices and what further can be done?

                    3) University and research laboratories. Open days, cooperation projects... the promotion of inclusion.

 

Fátima Alves

Pavilhão do Conhecimento

falves@pavconhecimento.pt

Manuel F. M. Costa

Universidade do Minho

mfcosta@fisica.uminho.pt