LEARNING ABOUT RISK:THE CHALLENGE FOR TEACHERS

'When society has problems with science, it is often over questions of uncertainty and risk. How uncertainty and risk can be quantified and communicated are questions of great concern, with no simple answers.'

This conclusion in 2000 by the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee still resonates today. Developments in science and technology have the potential to greatly enhance human wellbeing but this potential is often tempered with public scepticism and ambivalence as well as a need to engage with the reporting of risk in the media.

Risk has become increasingly emphasised in school curricula: in Science, Mathematics, Citizenship and PSHE. This day conference will raise the challenges of teaching and learning about risk with leading players in policy and education, as well as providing a report on a research project on science and mathematics teachers understanding of risk in socio-scientific contexts. We are very pleased to have the distinguished invited speakers Professor David Nutt (Neuropsychopharmacology, Imperial College) and Professor Robin Millar (Science Education, University of York).

The conference will be held at The Wellcome Trust, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, on Friday 4th June 2010; starting with registration and coffee at 10.30 and finishing at 16.30. There is no fee for participation.

For further information and registration:
https://www.wellcometrustevents.org/learningaboutrisk
or email Verena Collins-Magee, v.collins-magee@wellcome.ac.uk .
We appreciate registration as soon as possible, and at latest by 28 May 2010. The conference is jointly organised by the Wellcome Trust and the Institute of Education research project 'Promoting Teachers'.


Understanding of Risk in Socio-Scientific Issues', www.RISKatIOE.org.