A Science Teacher Education Course in a Science Centre: A Successful Strategy to Empower Teachers to Master Museum Resources Exploration?

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to understand the impacts of a science teacher 
 training course, designed and implemented in a science centre, in teachers’ exploitation 
 of the opportunities inherent to science centres learning contexts, through the evaluation 
 of its impact. Data were collected through direct observation of the tutorial sessions and 
 the school-visits organized and implemented by seven teachers. An online questionnaire 
 was administered to 38 participants in order to understand their perspectives of the 
 course. The data were triangulated in order to make an evaluation of the course 
 according to its effectiveness, efficiency, relevance and durability. Data showed that the 
 development of a science teacher course by a science centre, proved to help teachers to 
 capitalize on the opportunities these non-formal institutions offer to enrich and reinforce 
 science school learning. Some improvements were suggested in order to achieve a 
 greater effectiveness.