Piyush Swami, a University of Cincinnati professor of science education in the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH), is one of a group of the nation's prominent science educators taking part on the Sino-U.S. Science Education Forum in Shanghai, China, Nov. 15-18. Swami will depart Cincinnati for China on Nov. 14.
The forum is co-hosted by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), of which Swami is a member, and the China Association of Children's Science Instructors (CASCI). The NSTA reports that educators from both countries will meet to share information on science education trends in the U.S. and China. Swami will present on the U.S. preparation of science teachers.
UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services has been dedicated to excellence in teaching for more than a century. The college prepares students to work in diverse communities, provides continual professional development and fosters education leadership at the local, state, national and international levels.
Swami is Executive Director Emeritus of the Science Education Council of Ohio, an organization that he founded that now has more than 3,000 members dedicated to excellence in science education. He has also served as a science consultant for the Ohio Department of Education.
Swami says that U.S. strengths in science education emphasize teaching students inquiry skills, critical thinking and problem-solving. "As a result, U.S. students tend to be more free-thinking and more intuitive in applying science knowledge," he says. "We work on teaching students skills that will last a long time, so science in U.S. classrooms is taught more creatively, compared with the approach of other countries around the globe."
Swami says he is also looking forward to learning what his Chinese colleagues have to share about science education and science teacher preparation. "This is an opportunity to build greater understanding between the cultures of the U.S. and China in the field of education."
The NSTA is the world's largest professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning. Its membership includes approximately 60,000 science teachers, administrators and science industry professionals.
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research University (Very High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked as one of America's top 25 public research universities by the National Science Foundation. UC and its affiliates topped $443 million in research funding for fiscal year 2010 – an increase of more than $65 million over last year's total.