Inquiry Based Learning and Responsible Research and Innovation: Examples of Interdisciplinary Approaches at Different Schooling Levels

Abstract

It is today well acknowledged that pedagogical approaches based on Inquiry methods and Research and Innovation (RRI) topic and processes can improve the interest of students in studying scientific topics. Such approaches can give students the opportunity to interact with cutting edge topics, research results and work with researchers to better align research processes and their outcomes with the values, needs and expectations of today's society. However, current science education is mainly discipline-based, and even Inquiry/RRI approaches are very often developed from the perspective of a single subject. This paper presents some examples of Inquiry-Based and RRI based approaches to Science Education from a vertical and interdisciplinary curriculum perspective, and discusses some evidences of effectiveness of these approaches in students at different schooling levels and in teacher professional development programmes.