The epiSTEME conference series is a biennial international event to review research in science, technology, and mathematics education (STME), hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a National Centre of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). Initiated in 2004, the primary aim of the conference is to nurture and promote scholarship in STME research, which is still a nascent area in India. epiSTEME is the flagship conference in STME research in India, an area that holds great potential for the country, owing to our significant student and teacher populations and their changing aspirations. The conference, by bringing together leading researchers from across the globe, plays an important role in strengthening the field in our country. It is unique in the way it addresses multidisciplinary issues related to the teaching and learning of science, technology, and mathematics. Details of the past nine editions of the conference are available at https://www.hbcse.tifr.res.in/academic/episteme-conference.
The focus of epiSTEME 10 will be Discipline Based Education Research. The discussions will be centered around the rapidly changing nature of scientific research practices, and the implications of this ongoing change for science, engineering, and mathematics education. Many teaching/learning practices that were taken for granted are now running the risk of becoming obsolete, given the rapid change in frontier scientific research practices, such as the building of machine learning models. It would thus not be far-fetched to say that science education is facing a serious crisis. Recent national education policies – such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in the US – seek to incorporate frontier scientific research practices in educational curricula.
However, this integration has not been smooth and well-focused, given the radical transition that is required. Scholarly dialogue and discussion on issues related to this transition, and how it could be systematically implemented, would thus significantly advance the implementation of these policies. This issue was also a focal point of discussion in the recently concluded Maha Chintan Shivir of DAE. The theme on ‘Human Resource Development and Education’ highlighted the role which HBCSE can play in collaboration with other units of DAE to address this alarming gap between research practices and education. Improvements in science education practices have a direct implication for the nation’s aspirations for a “Viksit Bharat”, as this ambition is critically dependent on developing well-trained human resources in science and technology.
By bringing together scientists, science education researchers, policy makers and teachers, epiSTEME 10 aims to advance this pursuit. The conference provides a unique, though modest, platform in the country to advance this process. epiSTEME 10 will leverage and build on various existing programs at HBCSE, the center’s expertise in science and mathematics education research, and its role within the larger scientific ecosystem of TIFR. The center’s ongoing partnership with NCERT, as well as other government agencies, would bring further structure to focus the broader spectrum of academic discourse on education research. Review talks by leading experts – from within the country and around the globe – will catalyze these discussions. Pre and post conference workshops for teachers/ budding education researchers – on topics of contemporary and national relevance – are also planned. The conference provides a platform for panel discussions on how to facilitate sustained interaction and closer collaboration between different science education stakeholders – across research, education and policy.
epiSTEME 10 invites scientists, educators, policymakers, and all stakeholders passionate about advancing STME research and education to join in shaping the future of science education in India.
The three different strands for extended abstract submissions are as follows:
The list above is not exhaustive and we welcome any submissions at the intersection of topics as well.