TEMI, Teaching Enquiry with Mysteries Incorporated,
is an EU-funded FP7 Science in
Society project running from 2013 to 2016. The
project aims to encourage science teachers to develop an understanding of
inquiry-based learning as well as developing an understanding of the benefits
of utilising such approaches in one’s classroom. Drawing on the 5E learning
cycle, TEMI aims to engage pupils in core scientific concepts through the
integration of mysteries and discrepant events in science lessons. This current
discussion paper explores the approaches taken by the UL project team, one of the
partners in the project, to bring about change in Irish second-level science
teaching, as part of the TEMI project. In particular, it focuses on the unique aspect
of this institution’s approach, which is the involvement of pre-service science
teachers (PSST’s) in the project. The role of PSSTs in the project is
explored under three main headings: “TEMI and the
PSST as researcher”, “TEMI and professional learning communities” and “TEMI and
PSST’s collaboration with co-operating teachers”. The paper concludes with a
discussion on the benefits of involving PSSTs in the TEMI project.