Nature/technology – strengthening premises, equipment, and professional communities.

Science and Technology is the first science subject in the Danish primary and lower secondary school system. From Year 1 to Year 6, teaching should, based on children’s joy, curiosity, wonder and understanding of the world around them, develop scientific competencies, knowledge and skills.

The subject is therefore central to the Villum Foundation’s efforts to promote more and better inquiry-based, real-world and hands-on teaching in science and technology. 

A new funding round of DKK 30 million is now open, aimed at improving the subject’s physical facilities, teachers’ competencies, and the development of subject-specific educational communities within municipalities.

Since its introduction 30 years ago, Science and Technology has faced several challenges and has been referred to by researchers and educators as a “neglected subject” that has somewhat stood in the shadow of the science subjects taught in lower secondary school. 
 

• Nearly half of Science and Technology lessons are taught by teachers without the necessary subject-specific qualifications. 

• Many schools lack classrooms for primary and middle school that are designed and equipped for Science and Technology teaching.  

• The subject has not developed a general positive and proud professional identity. 

• There is a lack of professional networks, didactic role models and ambassadors for the subject in general. 
   

At the Villum Foundation, we do collaborate with other key stakeholders to strengthen Science and Technology. We want teachers, school leaders and local authorities to have the opportunity to work on developing the subject’s framework at school level. 
The funding pool will be supplemented by the collection of new knowledge about the subject, with a focus on teacher education, continuing professional development, and subject-specific communities.