Non-Formal Science Education Supports Schools in Poland
Non-Formal Science Education Supports Schools in Poland

Summary/Abstract: Non-formal education centres in Poland have significant potential and offer a variety of extra activities for groups of pupils supervised by a teacher. The centres’ educational activities are not subject to the regulations of the official education system as are schools. The Science Section of the Educational Research Institute (IBE) conducted a study entitled “Best practices in non-formal science education. A survey of the offer of science activities”. The main objective of the study was to determine how the science activities offered by centres of non-formal education to groups of pupils supervised by teachers can contribute to promoting and developing scientific reasoning, a skill included in the science core curriculum. The first stage of the study was conducted in 348 centres, while 50 centres participated in the second stage, a more in-depth study. A result of the study was the development of a national database of nonformal education centres. They offer support to teachers in implementing the requirements of the science core curriculum in their teaching and promote examples of good practices in this area. The majority of centres that took part in the research study applied methods of scientific reasoning in groups and stimulated pupils to be active and motivated The classes develop pupils’ research skills as well as their social skills, including communication and presentation techniques. In this way, the activities support the implementation of core curriculum requirements.

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