This book project poses a major challenge to Japanese science education researchers in order to disseminate research findings on and to work towards maintaining the strength and nature of Japanese science education. It also presents a unique opportunity to initiate change and/or develop science education research in Japan. It provides some historical reasons essential to Japanese students’ success in international science tests such as TIMSS and PISA. Also, it helps to tap the potential of younger generation of science education researchers by introducing them to methods and designs in the research practice.

This book discusses the scope of science education research and practice in Asia. It is divided into five sections: the first consists of nine chapters providing overviews of science education in Asia (China, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand). The second section offers chapters on content analysis of research articles, while the third includes three chapters on assessment and curriculum. The fourth section includes four chapters on innovative technology in science education; and the fifth section consists of four chapters on professional development, and informal learning. Each section also has additional chapters providing specific comments on the content. This collection of works provides readers with a starting point to better understand the current state of science education in Asia.

This book project poses a major challenge to Japanese science education researchers in order to disseminate research findings on and to work towards maintaining the strength and nature of Japanese science education. It also presents a unique opportunity to initiate change and/or develop science education research in Japan. It provides some historical reasons essential to Japanese students’ success in international science tests such as TIMSS and PISA. Also, it helps to tap the potential of younger generation of science education researchers by introducing them to methods and designs in the research practice.

This book is a collaborative product of an official project approved by the East-Asian Association for Science Education (EASE), one of the most important professional societies of science education in Asia. This EASE book is compiled with a unique approach. It consists of well-structured four sections: (A)The Historical Development of Science Education in East Asia, (B)The Achievements of Science Education Research in East Asia, (C)Science Teacher Training in East Asia, and (D)Some Challenges to Research in Science Education in East Asia. Its fifteen chapters are co-authored/collaborated by renowned scholars from regions of East Asia. The book successfully integrated and consolidated the research, findings, curricular developments, and science teaching practices that have shaped ongoing educational agenda and student learning outcome in an unprecedented approach. Six Regional Coordinators from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan worked together with Editors and more than fifty science educators to assure the book project adequately reflects the trends and practices in this region. The six Regional Coordinators are: (1)Prof. Weiping HU, Shaanxi Normal University, (2)Prof. Winnie SO Wing Mui, The Education University of Hong Kong, (3)Prof. Masakata OGAWA, Tokyo University of Science, (4)Prof. Jinwoong SONG, Seoul National University, (5)Prof. Huann-shyang LIN, National Sun Yat-sen University, (6)Prof. Chi-jui LIEN, National Taipei University of Education. This book intends not only to serve as references, but also a complement of existing perspectives from western countries. Insights gained from the integration and consolidation of East-Asian developmental trends and perspectives would allow science educators, teachers, and policy makers make wise decision for future advancements for their own countries/regions. 1. Why We Study the History of Science Education in East Asia: A Comparison of the Emergence of Science Education in China and Japan. 2. The Advent of Science Education for All: A Policy Review across East-Asian Regions. 3. Trend and Development of School Science Education in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea. 4. National/Regional Systems of Research Training in Science Education: The Experiences in Japan and Hong Kong. 5. Science Education Research Trends in East Asian Areas: A Quantitative Analysis in Selected Journals. 6. Current Trends of Science Education in East Asia (1995-2014): With a Focus on Local Academic Associations, Journal Papers, and Key Issues of Science Education in China Mainland, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. 7. Diversity Dilemmas of Science Education in East Asia. 8. A Comparison of Elementary School Science Textbooks in East Asia. 9. Primary School Science Teacher Training in East-Asia: In the Continuous Reforming for the Quality Assurance. 10. Pre-service Education of High School Science Teachers. 11. Science Education Reform and the Professional Development of Science Teachers in East Asian Regions. 12. Affective Aspects of Science Education in East Asia Regions. 13. Science Learning in Informal Environments in East Asia: Focusing on Science Museums/Centers. 14. Introducing Modern Science and High Technology in Schools. 15. Government Policy in Developing a STEM Curriculum: The Case of the High-Scope Program in Taiwan.

This book is based on presentations at the International Science Education Conference (ISEC) 2014. It showcases a selection of the best papers by researchers and science teachers from the Asia-Pacific region, North America and the United Kingdom. Centered on the theme of “Pushing the boundaries – Investing in our future”, they pursue new ways of helping learners appreciate the diversity and changes in science that result from a globalised world facing complex and diverse environmental and technological issues. The chapters touch on various themes in science education that explore and investigate issues of scientific literacy, societal challenges and affect, and teacher professional development. Its comprehensive themes make it a valuable textbook for graduate students of master’s and Ph.D. programs. It also appeals to pre-service and in-service teachers as a resource on innovative pedagogical practices and creative methods of professional development. With a selection that emphasises the research-practice nexus in education research, it serves as an introductory handbook for teachers to connect with the current issues facing science education.

With unique insights into the potential power of Japan’s STEM education, Isozaki and his team of contributors share multiple perspectives on STEM education theory and practices in Japan. Examining how Japan has become an economic superpower based on scientific and technological innovations, this book provides a particular focus on the theoretical and practical analysis of STEM education from historical and comparative perspectives. Additionally, it links the theory and practice of STEM education from primary education to teacher education at universities across Japan and considers both societal and individual needs in advancing STEM literacy. Chapters are written by researchers from a diverse range of fields in education, including science, mathematics, technology, and pedagogy. The book also offers practical teaching tools and materials for teacher education and assessment to promote STEM literacy in students so that they are able to address local and global socio-scientific issues in a real-world context. Covering a wide spectrum of STEM education, this book provides valuable insights and practical suggestions, from a Japanese perspective, for academic researchers, policymakers, and educators who are interested in STEM education.

This book presents innovations in teaching and learning science, novel approaches to science curriculum, cultural and contextual factors in promoting science education and improving the standard and achievement of students in East Asian countries. The authors in this book discuss education reform and science curriculum changes and promotion of science and STEM education, parental roles and involvement in children's education, teacher preparation and professional development and research in science education in the context of international benchmarking tests to measure the knowledge of mathematics and science such as the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and achievement in science, mathematics and reading like Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Among the high achieving countries, the performance of the students in East Asian countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China (Shanghai) are notable. This book investigates the reasons why students from East Asian countries consistently claim the top places in each and every cycle of those study. It brings together prominent science educators and researchers from East Asia to share their experience and findings, reflection and vision on emerging trends, pedagogical innovations and research-informed practices in science education in the region. It provides insights into effective educational strategies and development of science education to international readers.

In 2007, the Monash-Kings College London International Centre for the Study of Science and Mathematics Curriculum edited a book called The Re-emergence of Values in Science Education. This book reflects on how values have been considered since this original publication, particularly in terms of socio-cultural, economic and political factors that have impacted broadly on science, technology and society, and more specifically on informal and formal science curricula. Hence, the title of this book has been framed as Values in Science Education: The shifting sands. As in the first book, this collection focuses on values that are centrally associated with science and its teaching, and not the more general notion of values such as cooperation or teamwork that are also important values in current curricula. Such values have indeed become more of a focus in science education. This may be a response to the changing global context, where technological changes have been rapid and accelerating. In such complex and risky environments, it is our guiding principles that become the important mainstays of our decisions and practices. In terms of science education, what is becoming clearer is that traditional content and traditional science and scientific methods are not enough for science and hence science education to meet such challenges. While shifts in values in science education continue, tensions remain in curriculum development and implementation, as evidenced by the continued diversity of views about what and whose values matter most.

Gifted education has come to be regarded as a key national programme in many coutnries, and gifted education in science disciplines is now being recognised to be of major importance for economic and technological development. Despite these initiatives and developments internationally, there are very few discussions on gifted education in science drawing upon practices and experiences in different national contexts. In support of an international dialogue between researchers and practitioners, often working within isolated traditions, this book offers information on key influential approaches to science education for gifted learners and surveys current policy and practice from a diverse range of educational contexts. The volume offers an informative introduction for those new to studying gifted science education, as well as supporting the development of the field by offering examples of critical thinking about key issues, and accounts of the influences at work within education systems and the practical complexities of providing science education for the gifted. The contributions draw upon a variety of research approaches to offer insights into the constraints and affordancxes of working within particular policy contexts, and the strengths and challenges inherent in different approaches to practice. Chapters include: Teaching science to the gifted in English state schools: locating a compromised 'gifted & talented' policy within its systemic context Models of education for science talented adolescents in the United States: Past, present, and likely future trends Navigating the shifting terrain between policy and practice for gifted learners in Tanzania Science education for female indigenous gifted students in the Mexican context Gifted Science Education in the Context of Japanese Standardization This book will appeal to scholars, practitioners and policy makers who are in the field of gifted science education.