Science Laboratory Centers in Greece Outsourcing in-service teachers’ training and support to school laboratories Thalia Pitsouli John Christakopoulos Charalambos Chamalidis

Science Laboratory Centres Operate as centres for research and educational support for the laboratory teaching Contribute and advise on organization, establishment and function issues of school laboratories The “Nodal Point” for communication and dissemination of information

In every prefecture of the country there is at least 1 Science Laboratory Centre, which works towards: The upgrading, pilot operation and introduction of new experimental devices Organising teacher training seminars Promotion of communication and co- operation

In every prefecture of the country there is at least 1 Science Laboratory Centre, which works towards: Experimental practise and free workshop activities for the students Permanent exhibition of lab instruments Developing new instruments Library and record of resources

OPERATION OF SCIENCE LABORATORY CENTRES The Centres have their own autonomous premises. Requirements for the function of a Centre are: A Physics lab A Chemistry - Biology lab A Storeroom

The centres posses their own equipment for: Demonstration of experiments Circular student lab per school level Video-tapes, slides, overhead projector and slide projector Library

What is their role? What do they do? Ι. The centres provide “encouragement” and support to the teacher: Inform, support and demonstrate workshop techniques for teachers Teach human resource management Practise use of new devices

What is their role? What do they do? Ι. The centres provide “encouragement” and support to the teacher: Development of skills Establishment and function of new school labs

What is their role? What do they do? II.The 2nd pivot concerns to the production of material: Write down “Workshop Manuals” for the new instruments and new devises. Produce student “Work Sheets” for every exercise

Workshop Manual

What is their role? What do they do? II.The 2nd pivot concerns to the production of material: Develop “Teacher’s Key” with answers to exercises. Leaflets with instructions for the “proper function” of devises. Keep and update record of devises and instruments. Develop new instruments for school labs.

Student “Work sheet”

What is their role? What do they do? ΙII. The 3rd pivot, shows the function of the Science Centre as the «nodal point» for communication and dissemination of information through INTERNET.

IMPLEMENTATION OF AIMS By organizing training seminars for teachers on the Centre premises. With visits of the Heads of Centres (the teachers responsible) to school workshops

IMPLEMENTATION OF AIMS By producing support material for teachers Through the INTERNET With fully supported suggestions to the Pedagogical Institute (the advisory institution of the Ministry of Education) for the reform of curricula.

The role of the Centre in the interaction among teachers and dissemination of information: Access in basic libraries for the self-education of teachers. Promotion of communication and co-operation among teachers and policy makers. Presentation of the Centre’s work – A challenge for all

“EKFE” Web pages

SUCCESSFUL IN AIM AND GOALS? Teacher participation in the seminars is not compulsory. However, the participation: –of lower secondary school teachers reaches 70% –the respective rate of upper secondary teachers is 35-45%.

Today… There are 78 Centres operating with 78 Teachers Responsible and 250 cooperating teachers. Each Centre has approximately schools in its responsibility. In the two urban areas of Athens and Thessaloniki schools per Centre amount to approximately per Centre In the islands and remote mountain areas we have 7-9 schools per Centre.

The Centres’ contribution is essential in regard to: Quality improvement of educational work Teacher training and upgrading of teacher knowledge (self-education – in-service training) and certainly Strengthening of the role of the teacher in society

Science Laboratory Centers in Greece O OO Outsourcing in-service teachers’ training and support to school laboratories Thalia Pitsouli John Christakopoulos Charalambos Chamalidis