1. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Science education networks and centres in Austria Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia

2. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Declining interest in science and nature Lack off scientific and technical staff Not enough science students Missing science teachers Several attempts to improve the situation Success emerges slowly Austria ain`t no Island

3. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Innovations in Mathematics, Science and Technology Teaching IMST analyzed the situation IMST2 offered projects and support IMST3 added Regional Networks IMST4 will hopefully come up IMST

4. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Regional Networks (byJune 2008)

5. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Regional Network Carinthia Inner circle (3 persons) Representative of the school government Science Teacher Coordinator, Head of science department of the Pedagogical University Carinthia Outer circle (17 persons) Coordinator 16 Science teachers from different schools

6. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Main Aims Development of a network and communication structure Cooperation with environment and nature promoting organizations Adjusting science projects at schools Improving the framework conditions for science teaching Cooperation with stake holders from policy, industry, science, and education Foundation of National and Regional science educational competence centres

7. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Regional Science Center Carinthia 7 Science teachers working 85 hours a week Offering various seminars and continuous teacher training Adjusting ecologically organized schools Cooperation with nature conserving companies Consulting local governments in science and environment matters Close contacts to museums and science centres Starting research projects dealing with science teaching

8. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Main outcomes Biology by Team – 1st European Biology competition for teams - nominated for the German award for innovations in Sustainable Education Science days for teachers and for kids, annual tree days in March Participation in the EUSO - European Union Science Olympiad Research projects, financed by the central government Additional offers in science teaching for pupils at the ages of 4 to 19 Generous sponsoring by Industry, Trade and Local Government Mentoring programmes for science students

9. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Next steps Establishing local and regional science education managers Connecting the Regional Networks to an Austrian network Close cooperation between Austrian, Italian and Slovenian teachers Organizing scientific exhibition tours Introducing primary students all over Carinthia to the world under the microscope Developing learning materials for biology lessons

10. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 References Konrad Krainer (2005b). IMST3 – A Sustainable Support System. Austrian Education News (Ed. BMUKK), 44, December 2005, 8-14. (Internet: http://www.bmukk.gv.at/enfr/school/aen.xml) Rauch, F./Schrittesser, I. Networks as Support Structure for Quality Development in Education Peter Holub Regional Network for Science and Mathematics Carinthia, Annual Report 2007 Biology by Team http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_by_Team IMST – Webpage http://imst.uni-klu.ac.at

11. Peter Holub Pedagogical University Carinthia BioEd 2008 Dijon June 2008 Increasing the Acceptance of Natural sciences in Austria

12. Thank you for your attention Peter Holub