Towards relevant integrated chemistry education

Abstract

Integrated education has been promoted by many science education researchers and educational reforms for its potential to teach the key competencies to cope in society in the 21st century and in making science subjects more interesting. Part of this is an understanding of chemistry and its role in everyday life as well as in building a sustainable future. In order to transfer integrated education into classroom practices, it is not enough to implement integrated approaches. It needs to be done in a relevant manner that supports the pupils’ understanding of chemistry as well as the general aims of integrated education. Teachers need support on this, therefore, more pedagogical models for relevant chemistry education are needed as well as models for in-service training on implementing it.