ARTIST

The focus of ARTIST is to innovate science education through classroom-based and teacher-driven Action
Research. Action Research aims for the cyclical innovation of authentic practices through the Action
Research cycle of innovation, research, reflection and further improvement of the innovation approach.
Beyond the interest of concrete change and innovation, Action Research aims for the generation of
knowledge and best practice strategies, serving as a pattern for innovations in the field of interest in
general, but also in contributing to the continuous professional development of the acting practitioners.
ARTIST considers Action Research to be one of the most promising strategies for innovating science
education and creating evidence-based classroom practices in domain-specific educational studies.
Action Research seeks to improve classroom practice by cycles of innovation, research, reflection and
revision. The approach chosen in ARTIST is an accompanied, participatory, and teacher-centred
interpretation of Action Research. Innovations are thought out, implemented, researched, and reflected
by the practitioners under the direction of science education researchers from the HEIs leading towards
the next step of innovation. The curricular focus behind ARTIST is introducing science education
researchers and prospective and practicing secondary and tertiary level science teachers towards the
philosophy and methods of Action Research, in order to form a basis for research-based innovation in
science education. ARTIST provides the framework for the development of appropriate training
materials, courses and activities. ARTIST will be the platform for the exchange and sustainable
implementation of Action Research into science education within the participating HEIs.
In order to give Action Research activities within ARTIST a joint and valuable focus, ARTIST aims to raise
motivation and achievement in science education and to enhance interest and improve the
opportunities of the young generation in careers and further education in science and engineering. To
connect the idea of Action Research for innovating science education with the aim of improving the
career opportunities of the young generation in science and engineering, a unique feature of ARTIST is
the development of networks of universities with schools and industry/SMEs. Each HEI within ARTIST will
build up a regional network around it, consisting of the HEI, secondary schools and representatives of
industry/SMEs.