Science Learning through Information and Communication Technologies

The course will primarily feature the development of online activities. Another scheduled activity, but optional feature, will be attended the conferences, Christmas Lectures, in place beforehand. 

Most fundamentally it is a course about talking science and how we use the technical and specialized language of Science to make sense of the everyday life of the students. According to Lemke15 Talking Science “means observing, theorizing, comparing, classifying, analyzing, discussing, hypothesizing, following procedures, judging, evaluation, deciding, concluding, generalizing, reporting, writing, lecturing, and teaching.”.The following lectures will be the theme of the course:

 

1)      The Modern Alchemist.

The lecture explores the chemistry of the modern world; was presented by Dr. Peter Wothers in 2012 and it is composed of the following talks:

1.1.The Elixir of Life: Air

1.2. The Fountain of Youth: Water

1.3. The Philosopher’s Stone: Earth

2)      Life Fantastic.

The lecture explores the greatest show on Earth, from the lowliest worm to the mightiest mammal; was presented by Dr. Alison Woollard in 2013 and it is composed of the following talks:

2.1. Where do I come from?

2.2. Am I a Mutant?

2.3. Could I live forever?

 

1)      The Number Mysteries.

The lecture explores the marvelous mystery of numbers; was presented by Professor Marcus du Sautoy in 2006, and it is composed of the following talks:

3.1. The mysterious primes, the atoms of mathematics.

3.2. The mathematical and cultural world of shapes.

3.3. Applying strategy and logic.

3.4. Code systems, check digits and error correction.

3.5. Mechanics, predicting outcomes and chaos theory.

 

2)      The Planets.

A classical lecture sires exploring the Solar System; was presented by Dr. Carl Sagan in 1977 and it is composed of the following lectures:

4.1. The Earth as a Planet.

4.2. The outer Solar System and Life.

4.3. The History of Mars.

4.4. Mars before Viking.

4.5. Mars after Viking.

4.6. Planetary Systems beyond our Sun.

The objective of the course is to present and to study in a comprehensive manner the up to date skill utilized by Scientists and Science Teachers to communicate scientific concepts to a wide audience including mostly young people.

         The specific objectives of the course will be:

         a) How do we communicate Science ideas?

         b) What are the most basic difficulties and strategies we face in communicating Science?

         c) How do teachers and scientists communicate science in a lecture?

         d) What attitudes and values could be transmitted in the science lectures along with the science concepts that is learned?