ICSE2012，Nanjing

International Conference on Science Education 2012 will be held in Nanjing University from Oct. 12-15, 2012.

It is our greatest pleasure to welcome you to the International Conference on Science Education 2012 (Nanjing, China) Conference. The ICSE2012 conference is co-organized by the National Association for Science Education the Chinese Society of Education (CNASE) and the Institute of Education of Nanjing University.

At the age of globalization, different countries have paid more attention to learn from each other to develop human talents in science and technology as well as improve citizen’s scientific literacy. Because of differences in culture and tradition between the western and eastern worlds, there have been many challenges when implementing the heavily western influenced science education theories and practices in China and other Asian countries with Confucian culture tradition. This also leads to reflection of western science education tradition. We hope the ICSE2012 (Nanjing) conference can be a good platform for international science education scholars to share their ideas, experiences, strategies to address science education challenges; further, we hope through academic exchange we can foster the development of new ideas with eastern cultural flavor to contribute a unique perspective to the advancement of international science education research to inform both theories and practices.

Science education research is vital in the development of national science education policies, including standards, teacher professional development and public understanding of science. Science education researchers study the quality, feasibility, and alignment of standards at different levels with regard to curriculum materials, assessment practices, and science teacher certification requirements; they also seek ways to bridge formal and informal science education. Science education research thus affects a nation’s ability to fulfill its social responsibilities. Therefore, the ICSE 2012 conference welcomes science education researchers from around the world to exchange experiences, challenges, and strategies in science education research around the above stated areas. These are around a common theme of ‘Science Education: Policies and Social Responsibilities’.