Teaching enquiry with mysteries incorporated: The benefits of involving pre-service teachers

Abstract

TEMI, Teaching Enquiry with Mysteries Incorporated, is an EU-funded FP7 Science in Society project running from 2013 to 2016. The project aims to encourage science teachers to develop an understanding of inquiry-based learning as well as developing an understanding of the benefits of utilising such approaches in one’s classroom. Drawing on the 5E learning cycle, TEMI aims to engage pupils in core scientific concepts through the integration of mysteries and discrepant events in science lessons. This current discussion paper explores the approaches taken by the UL project team, one of the partners in the project, to bring about change in Irish second-level science teaching, as part of the TEMI project. In particular, it focuses on the unique aspect of this institution’s approach, which is the involvement of pre-service science teachers (PSST’s) in the project. The role of PSSTs in the project is explored under three main headings: “TEMI and the PSST as researcher”, “TEMI and professional learning communities” and “TEMI and PSST’s collaboration with co-operating teachers”. The paper concludes with a discussion on the benefits of involving PSSTs in the TEMI project.