The power of networks and collaboration in science education

Science teachers may struggle to keep up with innovative, creative content, the latest pedagogical approaches and ideas about learner needs. They can find support from institutions such as science centres, universities or companies that connect networks of teachers or local communities.  

Teacher networks: from local to European level 

Teacher networks bring together teachers, school staff, families and other stakeholders in education to improve science learning for all. These networks often evolve over time to provide support, inspiration and practical educational tools for community science education, and help link local efforts to wider European contexts. 

• Local or regional networks can reinforce STEM education. The STEMforum in Hamburg, for example, connects more than 70 initiatives, projects and informal learning places to encourage pupils’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. 

• National school-based initiatives build connections between schools and their communities, open up learning spaces and encourage a culture of curiosity and lifelong learning.  

In Portugal, the Clubes Ciência Viva na Escola (Live science clubs at school) includes almost 900 clubs and 4,000 partnership organisations. In Croatia, the Croatian Mathematical Society has been holding Mathematics Evenings for over 10 years – a series of interactive workshops that help young people develop a more positive attitude to mathematics.  

• International networks offer spaces for science educators to exchange ideas, collaborate and learn from each other. Scientix and its STEM Discovery Campaign invite educators, organisations, libraries, schools, universities and youth clubs to share their STEM education-related activities in Europe and beyond.  

Collaborating with the local community 

Local partnerships can help teachers show pupils how science connects with the real world. Here some ideas you can try with your pupils:  

• Visiting STEM professionals in school: Encounters with professionals offer pupils a look at what careers within an industry are like. Local companies can raise awareness of future job opportunities in the area and of the skills needed. This way pupils can get useful advice on how to break into and succeed in a certain field.  
• Field trips: Field trips to local establishments can widen learners’ understanding and nurture curiosity about science-related topics. Museums, observatories, factories, recycling plants, nature preserves and laboratories are all places to observe real-life examples of STEM in action. 
• Community science projects: Schools can work on projects with local environmental or public health groups, like community garden, water testing or recycling initiatives. These activities promote hands-on learning and raise awareness about citizen science.  
• Collaboration with universities: Higher education institutions can provide access to laboratories, research opportunities, mentoring programmes and customised workshops for pupils and teachers. Collaborative action research projects between schools and universities are also possible.