Raising Youth Awareness to Responsible Research and Innovation through Inquiry Based Science Education

Abstract

This paper refers to an idea of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and methods of its promotion. The educational project IRRESISTIBLE, proposed in the 7th Framework Programme, has been described there. The need for some kind of research code of conduct comes among others from the need to avoid past disasters, such as the large-scale use of asbestos and CFCs, and from the fear of unexpected and/or irreversible consequences of new discoveries. What distinguishes IRRESISTIBLE from other educational projects is the close cooperation of various groups, such as: teachers, science educators, researchers and museums in the so-called Community of Learners. The teaching materials developed will refer to cutting edge science discoveries and facilitate the introduction of RRI issues using Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) at schools and in the framework of non-formal education (implemented in the cooperation with museums and science centres). This paper raises a series of questions related to the introduction of modern research into schools, e.g. whether nanotechnology can be the context for teaching the basic chemical and physical concepts, already included in the school curriculum, such as the issue of scale, size depending properties etc.