RESHAPING SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR YOUNGSTERS IN ROMANIA

This paper focuses on the importance of a relevant science education in the early years of schooling for the development of future STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals, considered crucial for the development of a nation. The paper investigates the possibilities to help pupils develop abilities like critical thinking, team work and creative assessment, needed by any STEM professional, by the stimulation of their natural curiosity and passion to experiment and play. The paper stresses out the need of an innovative learning from primary school, where the pupils should be more engaged into class and individual exploration. This research introduces an original pilot program developed by the author which is indented for pupils from a school from Romania placed at the begging of their road in science. The main results of the research might be translated into actual programs to be applied in every school from Romania at the science topic in order to stimulate hands-on activities, experiential learning and the foundation of the interest in STEM education. The findings of this paper contribute to increasing of the awareness of the need of an interesting and relevant content for science topic in schools and, at the same time, constitute an argument for a policy change in this regard. (C) 2019 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.UK