Bridging Research and Practice in Science Education

Eilish McLoughlin is an Associate Professor in the School of Physical Sciences and Director of the Research Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning (CASTeL) at Dublin City University. She obtained her PhD in Experimental Surface Physics and for the past 18 years her interests have evolved to focus on physics and science education research that examine the development of curriculum, instruction and assessment models in STEM education, at all levels of education, from primary school to PhD level. She has led and collaborated in many research projects at EU, national, and local levels, including EU FP-7 project SAILS and co-ordinator of EU FP-7 project ESTABLISH. She co-leads the physics initial teacher education programme at Dublin City University and has led several projects that support teachers, both in-service and pre-service, in adopting innovative practices in their classrooms and enhance student identity in Physics. She has received recognition for her leadership in STEM Education and engagement across formal and informal contexts: including the NAIRTL National Award for Teaching Excellence (2010); Institute of Physics Lise Meitner Medal (2018) and the Young Professional Physicist of the Year (2016) and Dublin City University's President Award for Public Engagement (2017) and for Teaching and Learning (2005).

Odilla E. Finlayson is Associate Professor of Science Education in the School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University. She is one of the founding members of CASTeL (Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning) in Dublin City University and plays an active part in its management and development. She is involved in teaching (mainly physical) chemistry to undergraduate science students and to pre-service teachers. She is interested in curriculum development at second level and was a member of the Board of Science Studies in NCCA (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. She sits on the Council of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland, where she is Registrar and also convenor of the Education Committee. Current research interests are in sustaining science across transitions and in particular in development of appropriate science (chemistry) curricula and assessment. She is also involved in co-ordinating Ireland's involvement in science Olympiads, namely International Junior Science Olympiad, European Union Science Olympiad and the International Chemistry Olympiad, as Country Co-ordinator and mentor. She has been involved in many local and international research projects, including EU FP-7 project ESTABLISH and co-ordinator of EU FP-7 project SAILS.

This edited volume presents innovative current research in the field of Science Education. The chapter's deal with a wide variety of topics and research approaches, conducted in a range of contexts and settings. Together they make a strong contribution to knowledge on science teaching and learning. The book consists of selected presentations from the 12th European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) Conference, held in Dublin, Ireland from 21st to 25th August, 2017. The ESERA community is made up of professionals with diverse disciplinary backgrounds from natural sciences to social sciences. This diversity enables a rich understanding of cognitive and affective aspects of science teaching and learning. The studies in this book will stimulate discussion and interest in finding new ways of implementing and researching science education for the future. The twenty-two chapters in this book are presented in four parts highlighting innovative approaches toschool science, emerging identities in science education, approaches to developing learning and competence progressions, and ways of enhancing science teacher education. This collection of studies showcases current research orientations in science education and is of interest to science teachers, teacher educators and science education researchers around the world with a commitment to bridging research and practice in science teaching and learning.