The University of Turku is preparing a pilot project that develops new ways of strengthening competence in natural sciences and streamlining the education path between different levels of education. An extensive multidisciplinary research project will also be launched alongside the pilot project.
The University of Turku is initiating a pilot project to develop and research a new type of education path from primary and secondary education to higher education. The focus is on the natural sciences and mathematics and statistics. The pilot project will be conducted in a collaboration between the primary, secondary and upper secondary education of the Turun normaalikoulu Teacher Training School and the University’s Faculty of Science.
“The goal is to build an education path where there are no rigid steps between different levels of education, but rather flexible transition points. At the multidisciplinary University of Turku, we have a unique environment in which to develop, test, and research flexible transitions from one level of education to another. The pilot project builds on our local strengths, but at the same time it generates research results and operational models that can also be utilised elsewhere in the development of the education system,” says Vice Rector Maija S. Peltola, who leads the project planning.
The project addresses several issues that are crucial for Finland's future, including raising the national level of education, securing the level of expertise, and improving access to higher education.
“In Finland, there are issues relating to the security of supply of expertise in certain disciplines. For example, expertise in chemistry, physics and mathematics is needed if we are to generate innovations in different areas, such as energy solutions. The perspective of the defence industry must also be taken into account,” Peltola says.
The pilot aims to spark and sustain an interest in the natural sciences from the earliest years of primary education through to upper secondary school. In upper secondary education, the aim is to integrate content that prepares pupils for university studies.
“We have already begun to explore various interventions that could boost interest in exploring nature in primary school. In secondary school, on the other hand, it is essential to maintain that enthusiasm and introduce pupils to scientific inquiry in such a way that upper secondary school and university studies feel like a natural next step from an early age,” says Dean of the Faculty of Science Petriina Paturi.
A research project will be launched alongside the pilot project to monitor how different approaches affect the pupils’ interest in the natural sciences as well as their choice of of study programmes in the natural sciences and mathematics and statistics.
“We also want to gain a better understanding of how young people’s different backgrounds, neighbourhoods, linguistic environments, and the role of their families influence their educational choices and their prospects of progressing along the education path towards higher education,” says Vice Rector Peltola.
