The Relevance of Science Education: ROSE

The Relevance Of Science Education: ROSE is an international comparative project that sheds light on factors of importance to the learning of and interest in science and technology. ROSE covers a wide range of countries from all continents. Key inte rnational research institutions and individualswill work jointly on the development of research instruments, theoretical perspectives and data collection. The target population are pupils towards the end of secondary school (age 15-16), in many countries the age where compulsory education is finished and when important choices are made. A broad public understanding of science and technology (S&T) is crucial for the national economical development and to the life, independence and autonomy of each indivi dual. Scientific and technological literacy is also of great importance for citizenship and democratic participation in a world dominated by S&T-related issues and challenges. Falling recruitment and interest in S&T studies and careers are observed in man ycountries, mainly the rich ones. The lack of relevance of the S&T curriculum is probably one of the greatest barriers for good learning as well as for interest in the subject. The ROSE project has the ambition to provide theoretical insight into factors that relate to the relevance of the contents as well as the context of S&T curricula. The final outcome eof the project will be perspectives and empirical findings that can provide a base for informed discussions on how to improve curricula and e nhance the interest in S&T in a way that -respects cultural diversity and gender equity that - promotes personal and social relevance that - empowers the learner for democratic participation and citizenship. that