Friendship with Overseas Science Teachers
International Programs with Overseas Science Teachers Associations
It is important to exchange opinion and information about teaching science with overseas science teachers, which contribute for both sides to learn that there are different ideas and methods for improving science education.
NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) Conference
From 2007, the Foundation started to send SSTA's best members to NSTA Conference to introduce their researches and practice to science teachers in the US. They presented Japanese ways of inquiry-based science teaching and learning with experiments in workshops in NSTA Western Area Conference in Denver and received very well by American teachers. They also visit schools and instructed special science classes for American students. We will send another team to NSTA Southern Area Conference in Charlotte in October, 2008.
Other opportunities
Sony Foundation and SSTA also hope to exchange opinions with teachers of other countries. We welcomed STAS (Science Teachers Association of Singapore) in June, 2008. They observed science classes of SSTA members in elementary and middle schools in Kariya City and visited Sony HQ and learned about the Foundation's activities.
NSTA Workshop: Fine Charcoal Batteries
Special Science Class in Castle Rock:
String Phones
Project Zero Classroom, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Sponsored by Sony Foundation from 2003, SSTA keep sending participants to Project Zero Classroom of Harvard Graduate School of Education. Professor Howard Gardner, who is known by Multiple Intelligences Theory, is one of the leaders of the seminar. Not only American educators but also teachers from around 40 countries, who teach various subjects, get together and learn key concepts of "Teaching for Understanding" and "Multiple Intelligences" by attending preliminary sessions, workshops and discussions in study groups. SSTA members learn these key concepts and apply them to their daily classroom practice. One participant in 2004 matured his research with these theories and based on his research, "Multi-Science Program", his school was awarded as the Most Excellent School of Sony Science Education Award in 2007.
Discussion with Mini Course Leader
Participants are divided into small study groups
