SCIENTISTS IN THE CLASSROOM: FROM UNIVERSITY TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL

In Spain, there is a declining trend in the proportion of High School students choosing science options. Secondary education fails to capture the interest of students towards scientific studies. Is there a "scientific and technological vocations crisis"? To have a vocation for science is innate or acquired? It is proposed that vocation is originated by personal experiences. Therefore, the Region of Murcia, in collaboration with universities (Universidad de Murcia y Politecnica de Cartagena) designed an educational program aimed at arousing the interest of students in those aspects of science that are unknown, starting from an early age and in a participatory and fun way. To achieve this, university professors showed scientific activities in the Schools, and students (12 years) had an opportunity to see, learn and understand scientific concepts. More than 20 scientific and technological experiments were designed, grouped into three blocks (physical-chemistry, biology-geology, mathematics-technology) in 30 Primary and Secondary Schools in Murcia Region, during two years (2007/2009). As results, students showed a strong motivation and interest towards science and it seems to have awakened 'early scientific vocations' in students from an early age. The divulgation of science is based on the awakening of the scientific vocation and University plays an important part.