2023 Contemporary Approaches to Research in Mathematics, Science, Health and Environmental Education Symposium

The CAR Symposium is a highly successful annual event that is now in its 27th year (starting in 1993 to 2005 and again from 2010 to this year). We look forward to many more!

Each year the ‘Contemporary approaches to research (CAR) in mathematics, science, health and environmental education’ symposium focuses on practical and theoretical aspects of a range of research methodologies – such as cross-cultural perspectives, activity theory, capturing complexity, classroom video analysis, quantitative methods, and interviewing – which are discussed in a lively, informal setting.

The symposium in 2023 will focus on practical and theoretical aspects of research methodology (as usual).

The program will include two keynote speakers and themed sessions with short presentations and longer discussion. We do not host concurrent sessions. We all enjoy rich, friendly discussion about each presentation. In 2022 we are hoping to, once again, host the event in person (located) as well as online. This blended offering will be open to all. Registration details are coming soon.

Our Keynote Speakers have been selected to provide challenging perspective on methodology providing insights into new methodological approaches and ontologies. We are pleased to have Professor Andrea Nolan and Associate Professor Alberto Bellocchi as our the Keynotes for 2023 CAR Symposium.

Andrea Nolan Professor of Early Childhood Education, Deakin University

Andrea Nolan is Professor of Early Childhood Education at Deakin University. Andrea is the founder and Chair of the Victorian Early Childhood Research Consortium (VECRC), a group of 83 cross-disciplinary researchers from a number of Victorian universities who come together to support research capacity in early childhood.

Alberto Bellocchi, Associate Professor of Education, Queensland University of Technology

Alberto Bellocchi is Associate Professor of Education at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Alberto investigates the complexities of science teaching and learning in high school and pre-service teacher education settings through the analysis of classroom interactions.

Presentations at the symposium will be grouped into sessions of two to four with similar methodological foci, designed to promote substantive discussion of a methodological issue. Presentations might focus on a) details and settings of the application of a methodology in ways that unpack how the methodology can operate in different contexts, or b) a particular methodological issue, problem, or strategic decision that explores or extends a methodology. The methodological issues should be broadly related to mathematics, science, health, or environmental education. The presentations should provide a grounded practitioner’s perspective.

Presentations will be 12 – 15 minutes in duration and should briefly outline the research question being addressed and may include the findings or likely outcomes of the research, but should focus mainly on the research methodology. Reports on work in progress are welcome but the focus is on the methodology.

Following each group of presentations, there will be the opportunity for extended discussion of the focus methodological issue, which may explore different approaches within the methodology (in research design, instruments, theoretical framing, or approaches to analysis), or different methodological approaches to a problem (for instance making sense of teacher practice, or tracking change in learners).

The program starts at 9am and concludes by 5pm each of the two days. We will host an informal book launch of the CAR Book Series at the end of the first day. All are welcome. We will also go for a meal (at own expense) at the end of the first day.

We will offer an opportunity to evaluate this symposium. The link to the online survey will be emailed during the last day of the symposium.

Expression of Interest to Present

The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 6th October 2023.

If you are interested in presenting at this symposium please submit your expression of interest using the form below. All submissions will be acknowledged upon receipt and reviewed by mid October. Expressions of Interest to Present form

Presentations

Presentations are to be 12-15 minutes long (please be respectful by keeping to time). They should briefly outline the research question being addressed and may include the findings or likely outcomes of the research, but should focus mainly on the research methodology. Reports on work in progress are welcome.

You may choose to pre-record presentations (this is essential for all online presenters). The links will be included in the program and the recording will be played on the day. During the presentation the chat feature of Zoom can be used to start the conversations. Questions can be addressed by typing in the chat and in the following discussion. A feature of the CAR Symposium program is the rich and collegial discussion that follows the presentations in the session.

Program

The program will be available early November 2023

Registration

Register online at CAR Symposium 2023. Please register to attend in person before the 13th November as we need numbers for catering. Registering for the online participation is important so that we can send updated information prior to the event.

Book Series – Contemporary Approaches to Research in STEM Education

All presenters are invited to submit a proposal for a written chapter of 5000 – 7000 words for consideration for publication in the Cambridge Scholars Publishing book series Contemporary Approaches to Research in STEM Education. Proposals for Volume 5 are due on the 7th December 2023. Accepted chapters are due 15th February 2024.

Methodological Approaches to STEM Education Research – Volume 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be showcased at the 2023 CAR Symposium.

CAR Coordinators

Dr. Peta White, Alfred Deakin Professor Russell Tytler, Dr. Joe Ferguson, and Dr. John Cripps Clark

Enquiries: please email Peta White (peta.white@deakin.edu.au)

Organised by the STEME Education Research Group in conjunction with the Research for Educational Impact (REDI) Centre.

Posted Nov 25, 2022