Chemistry Different

The program aims to change the way in which chemistry is taught and learned in the classroom, by proposing an inductive methodology (more specifically, an inquiry based learning approach), which has already proved its efficiency in the program Physics Different.

Duration: 24 months

BASF and Romgaz are supporting the strategic imprementation of the program.

Details about the program:

The program offers solutions to the following issues in the formal education system in Romania:

1

1) The decrease of students' interest for the exact sciences, including chemistry. This decrease is jointly determined by the abstract and often discursive way of teaching chemistry, by the fact that the teachers do not have access to professional development programs that present them with modern methods of teaching and learning, by the very loaded curriculum that they have to take to class. The decrease of students' interest in the exact sciences adds to an even more serious problem: the decrease of their motivation to come to school (the Romanian students have the lowest motivation among the EU countries).
2

The low level of scientific proficiency among the Romanian students. According to the 2015 PISA tests, 38.6% of the 15-year-olds in Romania were scientifically illiterate.
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The lack of connection between the competences and skills that students acquire in school to those needed on the labor market.

Results:

  • 250 chemistry teachers acquire the skills needed to apply the new approach to the classroom and provide feedback on the quality of materials;
  • More than 7,500 students in the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grades study chemistry with the teachers involved in the program;
  • Increased student interest in the subject of chemistry;
  • Authorities, experts, parents are informed about the benefits of the new approach.

Activities:

  • Training courses for 250 chemistry teachers; the course Learning science – modern methodological approaches is accredited by DFC-MEN (The Ministry of Education).
  • Two workshops on the design of learning units in chemistry together with worksheets for classroom activities.
  • Application of 200 learning units during two school years.
  • Collecting feedback from teachers and monitoring classroom application.
  • Organizing regional meetings with teachers and local partners.
  • Review of the learning units and worksheets based on the feedback received.
  • A national conference, which aims to present the results of the program.
Detalii despre proiect
Etapa I
Etapa a II-a

Sponsors: