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The workshop Dialogic Approach to Science in Society, through a variety of techniques aims to train on dialogic methods in science in society activities by exploring key concepts of science in society; reflecting on ethical values and principles towards children; exploring new paradigms on child law and education and rethinking institutional role. The Dialogic Approach to SiS workshop is designed to spark change in people, institutions and society by offering a space where people can experience dialogic methods and also reflect on their own practice as individuals, as a group or as an institution.

Over the course of three days, the participants from Universitatea Copiilor will work based on their own practice by reviewing their own concepts of childhood, assessing different paradigms of education, designing and experiencing dialogic models of education. They will be invited to answer the question: How can we develop a learning relationship with children considering them as subject of knowledge and not as mere object of scientific discourse or of the adult’s desire? On the subject of Children’s rights a similar question will be asked: How can we move from an approach that children are object of law to an approach that children are subject of law?

These two perspectives – children as a subject of knowledge and children as subject of law – will guide the participant’s exploration on their own practice, on their institution and on the relationship that is established with children in their everyday activities.

The workshop will be led by Raul Araujo.

He was project manager for S-TEAM (Science-Teacher Education Advanced Methods) from 2009-2012 and is now involved in the INSTEM project, bringing together the results of previous and current projects in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. With Eilish McLoughlin and Katja Maass, he was a founder of ProCoNet, the STEM project coordinators’ network.

Although nominally an ‘adviser’, Peter sees his role as a listener, reflecting back core ideas of SiS Catalyst and relating them to national policy discourses. This is a major concern at the moment, since politicians are increasingly promoting national self-interest at the expense of a larger European or global vision. Projects such as SiS Catalyst have to create a new transnational space for policy and practice, just as new spaces have been created by technological innovations such as Google or Facebook. These spaces have previously existed within projects, but the challenge now is to extend into a wider space across multiple projects. ProCoNet is holding a meeting in Brussels on June 11th 2013 to discuss this issue in relation to science and maths education. 

Peter is excited about being involved in SiS Catalyst, as it moves the idea of young people’s involvement with science away from the technical aspects of classroom teaching and into society as a whole. As an MML, SiS opens up the idea of co-creation in a new way, moving out of the restricted orbit of conventional funded projects.

Despite the Norwegian connection, Peter lives and works in Edinburgh, with his partner and their teenage son.

The seminar aims to equip facilitators with the knowledge and skills to enable them to train young people to become environmental reporters.

Matteo and Paolo will be running several sessions including the presentation of case studies of the work within their own organisations, and  their work as part of SiS Catalyst, and lectures and discussions around listening to, and empowering young people. 

If you would like to be involved in the development process and the testing of tools, send a quick note to info@eucu.net and you'll receive the first questionnaire promptly.

Any feedback or suggestions will be gratefully received.