Initial Science Teacher Education through Socio-Scientific Inquiry of...

Climate change is one ofthe pressing issues of today (i.e. UN Sustainable Development Goals) and offersa fruitful ground for learning about science. The Austrian Climate and EnergyFund supports provinces and schools to become energy self-sufficient. One ofthe initiatives funded is the multi-agency project “Mobility, traffic andrenewable energies” in the province of Carinthia. This project covers areas oftraffic flows (e.g. vehicles in private and public transportation), thehealth risks involved and means of maintaining a healthy environment throughnew technologies. Activities included tracking energy use of schools andlinking energy use and conservation, consumption, lifestyle and diet and itsimpact on sustainability. Participation and socio-political action inenvironmental issues are emphasized. The joint participatory project involvedteacher educators, education departments, NGOs, scientists, schools, in serviceteachers, pre-service teachers and school students. Based on evaluation datathe learning experiences and attitudes of pre-service teachers toward the SSIBLframework (Socio-Scientific Inquiry-Based Learning