The Use of the Symposium in Science Education

Abstract

The range of activities available for student participation in Mentor Ridge Junior High School's science club has been broadened to include the presentation of research in the form of papers before critical groups. Scientific meetings were devised similar in format to professional Academy meetings. Two symposia were held at the school, one in 1963, another in 1964. The sessions were found to be adaptable to educational use and are offered as supplementary or alternative to existing co-curricular programs. The symposia fostered scientific inquiry and a critical attitude toward scientific research, provided highly realistic settings for scientific communication, were easy to organize, and offered a variety of experiences communicating the results of research. The greatest disadvantage was the limited number of participants accommodated, though this defect may be overcome. Five days seemed the best length of time to run the program.