Abstract
The contribution deals with European project ESTABLISH, in particular with its objectives, methodology and selected outcomes. The ESTABLISH is a four year European project finishing in year 2014.
The consortium with more than 60 partners from 11 countries worked on encouraging and implementing inquiry-based approach to science education for second level students across Europe by bringing together the specific key stakeholders in science education. Science education researchers, teacher educators, scientific and industrial communities, policy makers and parents were involved in a process creating more authentic learning environment for students and teachers in science education.
The innovation in classroom practice was achieved by focusing on two aspects: (1) preparation of appropriate teaching and learning inquiry based science education (IBSE) units and (2) support of IBSE itself and developed IBSE units for both in-service and pre-service teachers. All materials created within project ESTABLISH are available on project website http://www.establish-fp7.eu/ and 18 translated units in Moodle environment as well: http://ibse.establish-fp7.eu.
Various stakeholders, especially from industry field, were involved in the project and a fruitful cooperation was established. In the Czech Republic, thanks to the ESTABLISH project, the awareness about IBSE was successfully disseminated: among students, especially during the testing and the implementation of units by teachers, among teachers, both in-service teachers through teacher courses and preservice teachers through specialized periodical lessons.
Moreover, promotion and expansion of inquiry approach in science education supports development of scientific knowledge and key competencies.