Teaching Science Beyond the Lab: Arcadia Faculty Bring Socioscientific Issues to Copenhagen

Dr. Augusto Z. Macalalag, Jr., associate professor of Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics (STEM) Education, shared new research at the International Conference of the European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) in Copenhagen, Denmark, in which he presented how teachers connect science to urgent real-world issues in their classrooms.

In "Beyond the Lab: How Science Teachers Integrate Socioscientific Issues into Lesson Planning in Brazilian Classrooms," Dr. Macalalag and collaborators from UNITAU in Brazil analyzed lesson plans on topics such as vaccination, abortion, and scorpion accidents. Teachers effectively linked science content to real-world issues, but less often addressed broader social, cultural, and ethical contexts. The study highlighted the need for professional development to strengthen teachers' ability to guide critical reflection and discourse.

In "Science for a Complex World: Teacher Growth through Socioscientific Issues," co-authored with Dr. Charu Varma, the team examined how professional development shaped an experienced physics teacher's ability to design and teach SSI-based lessons. Students engaged in modeling, data analysis, and collaborative discussions, though challenges remained in assessing SSI-driven work.

Together, the studies underscore the importance of preparing teachers to balance science with social and ethical dimensions, equipping students for informed decision-making on issues that matter in their communities and beyond.