Third international Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
The Third international Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology
Education is going to take place in East London, South Africa in January 2003.
The joint organisers for the conference are the National Key Centre for School
Science and Mathematics, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia and
Rhodes University, East London.
Curtin University's National Key Centre for School Science and Mathematics
has the largest graduate program in science and mathematics education in the
world. The research programs offered by the Key Centre include a Doctor of
Philosophy (thesis-only), Doctor of Science Education and Doctor of Mathematics
Education (30% coursework and 70% research) and
Master of Science (Science/Mathematics Education). Additionally, the Key Centre
provides a national and international focus for postgraduate studies, with over
120 current doctoral students living interstate and over 130 living overseas.
Rhodes University, approaching its centenary year, with its well-established
parent campus situated in historic Grahamstown, has a world-wide reputation for
high quality education. Its per capita research output is
acknowledged to be the highest in South Africa at the present time. The
departments in its Science Faculty are particularly strong in this respect. Its
young campus in the fast developing river port city of East London, part of the
new Buffalo City magisterial conglomerate, is small and unique and serves the
educational needs of a diverse student body. The campus is growing at a rapid
rate. It has no science departments at present, but its
Education Department offers highly popular, innovative and effective teacher
upgrading courses in the fields of Mathematics, Science and Technology.
In 1997, the Key Centre decided to hold the first of these international
conferences in Hanoi, Vietnam. The cooperating partner that time was the Vietnam
National University, Vietnam. A main aim of the conference was
that participants would not only have a challenging experience intellectually
but also would have a culturally enriching experience. This was indeed the case
and over 100 overseas educators had a most successful and enjoyable time in the
old city of Hanoi.
Following the success of this conference, a second one was held in Taipei,
Taiwan. This time the cooperating partner was the National Normal University of
Taiwan.
The same program format was used with keynote speakers on each of the three
strands of science education, mathematics education and technology
education and paper presentations by other participants. As with the first
conference, paper presenters were invited to submit their papers for
inclusion in a book of refereed conference proceedings. This second conference
also contained culturally enriching experiences built into the program.
Now the conference moves for the first time to the African continent. The
theme of this conference is 'Making Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Accessible to All.'
Teachers and researchers are preparing papers for presentations on their
activities and research. One of the features of these conferences is the
bringing together of teachers and researchers from all levels of education. This
results in an increased understanding of each other's roles and the practical
application of research is better understood. The three keynote
addresses this time will be given by Professor Peter Fensham from Monash
University, Australia on science education, Professor Leonie Rennie from Curtin
University of Technology, Australia on technology education, and Mr Marc
Schafer, from Rhodes University on mathematics education.
Sight-seeing tours are planned to Inkwenkwezi, Double Drift Game Reserve,
East London city, and the townships of Duncan Village and Mdantsane. Other
cultural events are the Xhosa experience, African Beat and the Liberation Tour.
A knowledge and understanding of South Africa will be considerably enhanced
through these experiences.
We hope to have a large number of South African and African continent
educators at the conference, sharing their knowledge and experiences with
overseas visitors from many countries. This will enable us to make a
contribution to increased international understanding.
If you are interested please contact:
Sue Morrell Stewart
Rhodes University
East London
Tel:+27 (0) 43 704 7099
Fax: +27 (0) 43 704 7095
e-mail: s.mstewart@ru.ac.za
website; http://www.curtin.edu.au/curtin/dept/smec/sacon.html
Return to Education
|
