Science for Schools
ELLS
Molecular biology is an integral part of life science curricula throughout Europe. But although many science teachers are aware that life science research is moving forward at enormous pace, they don't have a clear idea of its true scope or its potential to have dramatic effects on society. Many European educational systems have not developed effective mechanisms for keeping teachers up-to-date with a science moving at the pace of modern biology. Compared with professionals working in industry or academia, teachers in schools often feel isolated from the scientific community. But they are a professional group that is crucial in the first step of educating Europe's future pool of talented scientists.
To address the demand for continuing professional development of secondary school biology teachers, in 2003, EMBL launched the European Learning Laboratory for the Life Sciences (ELLS), within the framework of an EU-funded project "Continuing Education for European Biology Teachers" (CeeBT) co-ordinated by EMBL's sister organisation EMBO. Through its LearningLABs, TeachingBASE and networking, ELLS provides high school science teachers with the hands-on expertise and theoretical know-how to bring concepts of molecular biology into the classroom.
EIROforum Science in School
In March 2006, Europe's first international, multi-disciplinary journal for science teaching, Science in School, was launched. Published by EIROforum, a partnership between Europe's seven largest intergovernmental research organisations, Science in School promotes inspiring science teaching. The journal is freely available online and over 30,000 print copies are distributed across Europe at no cost to the recipients. It is printed in English, but online articles are provided in many European languages.
Interpreting "science" in the broadest sense, Science in School includes not only biology, physics and chemistry, but also maths, earth sciences, engineering and medicine. The journal features news about the latest scientific discoveries, current science topics, teaching materials, projects in science education, interviews with inspiring teachers and scientists, reviews of books, films and websites, events for teachers and many other useful resources for science teachers.