Research training programme in Science and Mathematics Education and Communication

The SMEC programme is headed by Associate Professor Chunfang Zhou. It is an integral part of the STEM Education Research Center –FNUG, under the Learning, Experience and Design (LxD) section of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The programme supports PhD students to develop the full spectrum of competencies, knowledge, and skills required to undertake research, development, and teaching assignments. The individual PhD project is conducted within the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, according to the rules currently in force.

The goal of the SMEC programme is to engage early-career researchers in STEM education research. The programme supports the design of innovative learning environments, advances pedagogical innovation, and promotes the responsible integration of emerging technologies. It encourages creative teaching and learning experiences that thoughtfully challenge established practices and expand opportunities for inquiry, experimentation, and collaboration. The programme highlights the use of exploratory, participatory, arts-based, design-based, practice-oriented, interdisciplinary research, and both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to address complex scientific and societal challenges.

The key research areas of the SMEC programme include:

• discipline-based education research
• learning environments and learning experiences
• integrated STEM education and learning
• design and practice of interdisciplinary STEM curricula from primary to tertiary education
• teacher education and professional learning
• relations between various kinds of learning environments, e.g. hybrid, formal and informal learning
• transformation of scientific information into accessible and understandable knowledge for the public

Courses

The SMEC programme offers PhD courses, seminars, workshops and guest lectures by national and international researchers within STEM education. These activities are designed to prepare candidates for all aspects of the research process, including development and design of research proposals, research agenda, and communication of findings.

Through these activities, the SMEC programme facilitates networking with graduate students, PhD students, and STEM education researchers.

The SMEC programme offers the following courses at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science:

• PhD Seminar on Mathematics and Science Education (4 ECTS)
• PhD course in Collaborative research and participatory methodologies in educational practices (1 ECTS)
• NAT805: Subject didactics, subjects and interdisciplinarity in science (10 ECTS; taught in Danish)
• NAT818: Project management in Science (5 ECTS; taught in Danish)
• NAT201: Practice-based Science Education Research and Communication (5 ECTS)