Contemporary Trends and Issues in Science Education

This edited volume discusses the need to increase quantity and enhance quality of science education focused on preparing rural students to thrive in an interconnected, interdependent, and complex world. It acknowledges that globally integrated education incorporates local knowledge and culture with global trends. Additionally it highlights globally competent science teaching is not included in most preparation programs, and teachers enter schools unprepared to address students’ needs. Rural schools lack opportunities to keep up with reform efforts and may have limited experiences with diversity, particularly at the global level. 

These chapters describe globalization in authors’ respective academic institutions by sharing global competence action research projects for preservice teachers. The studies presented were conducted in elementary and secondary science methods, and science content courses. The book’s research is unique as the contributors have carried out action research in science teacher preparation programs and participated in peer discussions that helped them fill gaps in global science teaching while advancing the field of teacher preparation programs.  

This book showcases current science education research in Canada, from Grade 8 to university. It provides a rich portrait of science teaching and learning at the secondary and tertiary levels across content areas and research methodologies. Research contexts include chemistry, oceanography, physics, and STEM; research approaches include action research, case study, mixed methods, and document analysis. Chapters build upon themes that emerged from our previous Springer book Science Education in Canada (2019) including environmental education (e.g., ocean literacy, place-conscious pedagogy), Indigenous perspectives (e.g., water stewardship), and assessment (e.g., formative assessment practices), and represent a cross section of the current mosaic of science education research in Canada in high school settings (and beyond). This book, when taken in conjunction with its companion volume Exploring Elementary Science Teaching and Learning in Canada (2023), enables readers to develop an in-depth understanding of current science education research across the country. Although this book reflects a Canadian perspective, its themes are of interest to both domestic and international audiences.

This edited volume provides theory-based accounts, often with practical examples, of how educators from various jurisdictions in elementary, secondary, and tertiary formal education contexts, as well as community-based situations, have helped students critically evaluate the relationships among science, technology (STEM), society, and the environment. The goal is to develop and implement personal and sociopolitical actions to address concerns. Collectively, the perspectives and examples in the chapters form an expanding Foucauldian dispositif countering hegemonic mechanisms that favor a few elites at the expense of the wellbeing of most other living and nonliving things. Many accounts draw on the STEPWISE project, illustrating how (a)biotic and symbolic actants have been progressively assembled to promote more critical and altruistic citizenship.

This second volume explores the challenges faced by science education researchers of African ancestry in securing an ideal academic home. Highlighting systemic barriers, it advocates for addressing teacher shortages and informs the development of equitable teacher education programs, particularly for Teacher of Color and Indigenous Teachers (TOCIT). Featuring narratives from researchers navigating less-than-ideal environments, transitioning between institutions, or preparing for retirement, it offers invaluable insights into adaptation and resilience. With contributions from diverse institutional backgrounds, including Historically Black institutions, it concludes with policy and practice recommendations to foster inclusive science education and advance equity for African-ancestry professionals.

This first volume presents narratives from science education researchers of African ancestry, reflecting on the significance of a professional home. Through personal and scholarly perspectives, Black researchers share experiences of seeking, establishing, or finding belonging in science education across diverse settings. Authors from various institutions offer insights into traditionally White universities and a distinct home in Africa. By showcasing counter-narratives and strategies, this book supports the next generation of science education researchers and teacher educators. Drawing from interdisciplinary traditions—historical, philosophical, psychological, and sociological—it provides a nuanced understanding of research, identity, and community within the field.