Back to Basics in Science Teaching
Making science meaningful for young learners
The Blended Intensive Programme Back to Basics in Science Teaching explores how children understand the world around them. Children come to school with prior knowledge and their own small theories about why everyday phenomena occur and how things work. This existing understanding strongly shapes how they learn basic scientific concepts such as what heat is, how speed is measured, or what happens when substances dissolve.
Education systems across countries use different teaching approaches to introduce these fundamental ideas in science. Within this programme, students from three countries collaborate to design and develop educational materials and activities inspired by real-world themes for children aged 12–14.
Teaching and learning
The programme includes:
- collaborative sessions focused on developing educational materials
- a visit to science classes at secondary schools
- a visit to a science museum
For whom?
- Second or third year pre-service students in science subjects (physics, chemistry, biology or natural sciences)
Programme overview
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Online start
Monday 20 April 2026, 17:00–19:30
- Kick-off session: Get to know the BIP project, meet your fellow students through a fun group activity, and discover the main themes.
- Workshop: Dive into conceptual learning and explore how to simplify complex ideas.
Thursday 21 May 2026, 17:00–19:00
- Workshop: Learn about AI in education and experiment with tools like NotebookLM and AI Studio.
- Group formation: Meet your teammates and form international project groups.
- Preparation session: Find out how to get ready for your assignment.
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On campus week
Monday 15 June 2026
- Arrival day: Travel to the host city and arrive in the late afternoon.
- Evening: Welcome gathering and dinner with all participants.
Tuesday 16 June 2026
- Morning & afternoon: Work in groups on your project assignment.
- Evening: Join a fun social event and connect with fellow students.
Wednesday 17 June 2026
- Morning & afternoon: Visit local schools to observe science classes and gain inspiration.
- Late afternoon: Free time to relax or explore the city.
Thursday 18 June 2026
- Day trip: Excursion to another town, including a visit to a science museum.
Friday 19 June 2026
- Morning: Final presentations and reflection on the week’s experiences.
- Afternoon: Farewell and travel home.
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Learning outcomes
Cultural receptivity
In this programme, you’ll learn to truly listen to others. To understand their perspectives, expertise and cultural backgrounds, while reflecting on and re-evaluating your own ideas.
You’ll collaborate with students from different countries to explore a socially relevant and contemporary theme, examining how cultural context shapes both the topic itself and the way it’s taught in each country.Creating “Back to Basics” educational materials
You’ll work on developing creative teaching materials that make complex societal issues understandable for children aged 12–14. By focusing on key scientific principles, you’ll learn how to explain big ideas in a clear, engaging way - a vital skill for any future teacher.
A broad STEM approach
The themes you’ll explore span the different STEM fields. Physics, chemistry, and biology students from various universities will collaborate closely, sharing knowledge and learning from one another. This interdisciplinary teamwork helps you see how the sciences connect, and how cooperation leads to better learning experiences for all.
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When
- Online start: 20 April and 21 May 2026
- On campus in Zwolle: 15–19 June 2026
Participants
Maximum 28 students
Credits
3 ECTS credits
Assessment
- Group presentations: Share and present the educational materials your team has created.
- Group reflection: Write a joint reflection on both the process and the content of your work.
Contact
Erik Meij
th.meij@windesheim.nl(opens in new tab)
Collaboration
This programme is developed in close collaboration with VIVES University of Applied Sciences and Kirchliche Paedagogische Hochschule Wien / Krems.