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Prof. Justin Dillon

Towards a convergence of science and environmental education: using blended pedagogies in the face of wicked problems

Society faces a series of ‘wicked’ problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food security. At their heart lie issues of science, sustainability and social justice. Preparing young people for an uncertain future challenges existing ideas of scientific literacy and requires new approaches to science teacher pedagogy. Developing problem-solving skills using inquiry-based methods will not be enough to help citizens address problems that have no solutions. In this talk the focus will be on looking at how learning and teaching in museums, science centres and botanic gardens offers ideas for science teachers in school. Finally the role of civic (not citizen) science as an approach to science education will be explored.

University of Bristol

Graduate School of Education

Professor of Science and Environmental Education, University of Bristol

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Prof. Justin Dillon

After taking a degree in chemistry from Birmingham University, Justin trained as a teacher at Chelsea College and went on to teach in six secondary schools in London. His research originally focused on teaching and learning about chemistry in England and Spain. Over the past 15 years he has focused more on science learning outside the classroom particularly in museums, science centres and botanic gardens in the UK, Europe and elsewhere.

Together with two colleagues at King’s, Justin co-ordinated the ESRC's Targeted Initiative on Science and Mathematics Education (TISME) and he was a member of the highly influencial ASPIRES project.

Justin was elected President of the European Science Education Research Association from 2007-2011 and he co-edits of the International Journal of Science Education. He is a trustee of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom and was Chair of the London Wildlife Trust many years.

Justin has co-edited a number of books including the International Handbook of Research on Environmental Education. He was given ‘The Outstanding Contributions to Research in Environmental Education Award’ by the North American Association for Environmental Education in 2013.

Recent publications