Researching and Documenting Multi-disciplinary Inquiry-Based Educational Projects in Hordaland and Rogaland

Write a Science Opera (WASO) is a creative professional development approach to inquiry-based science and art education. WASO is an application of the widespread Write an Opera method, which has been successfully implemented in many countries during the p ast three decades. WASO integrates science education into the original method by involving scientists who lead an inquiry-based creative process demonstrating common impulses shared by science and the arts. WASO emerges at a time when the following scie nce and creative education trends hold true: The European Union is facing challenges recruiting students to Science/Technology/Engineering/Math (STEM) careers. At the same time, there is European determination to explore ways in which creativity may be su pported, as put forth in the European Ambassadors? Manifesto of the European Year on Innovation and Creativity (2009), underlying the need for integration of science education, creativity and culture and the arts. The current project application is aime d at collecting and systematically analyzing empirical data regarding WASO's potentials. The invited scholar, Dr. Gershon, will provide the necessary experience as well as network possibilities with regard to future realizations of the WASO method which w as developed in Norway. The specific activities will be analysis of previous projects, interviewing participants (teachers, pupils, practicum students, etc.), and collaborating on dissemination of relevant scientific literature. Dr. Gershon will also pro vide instruction in the fields mentioned above. Furthermore, a group of researchers including Dosent Ann Merete Otterstad (HiOA), Dr. Anne Beate Reinertsen (HiNT), Dr. Anne Ryen (UiA) and the applicant, will record and further develop a research dissemina tion concept which they employed to perform an artcile on the subject of July 22nd at the International Congress for Qualitative Inquiry (Univ. of Illinois, 2012) and HiNT's "FoU i Praksis" confernece (2013).