Education activites
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has long considered it important to foster the teaching of science and mathematics in Swedish schools.
As early as 1983 the first Nobel Posters were published. These explain in a popular-scientific manner the discoveries and inventions being rewarded with the year's Nobel prizes in Physics and Chemistry. Since then the Academy has initiated and become involved in many other activities seeking to improve school teaching and attract people to learn natural science.
Most of the activities listed are organised through the Science Education Committee.
Members of the Science Education Committee
The NTA-programme
Natural Science and Technology for All - Swedish initials NTA - is a schools programme for stimulating curiosity and increasing interest in natural science and technology among comprehensive-school children and their teachers. The programme is developped jointly by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA).
The Ingvar Lindqvistprisen
Each year the Academy's teachers' prize is awarded to up to four teachers who through their enthusiasm, their new ideas and their inspiring work have awakened their pupils' interest in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. The Ingvar Lindqvistprisen, also called the Teachers' Prize, is named after the person who was the Academy's president from 1988-1991.
Teachers' Days
Once or twice a year the Academy invites teachers to a Teachers' Day somewhere in Sweden where lecturers from their research areas lecture on a theme. The teachers have opportunities to increase their knowledge within research areas that are developing rapidly. Examples of themes are "From Big Bang to Uncertain Future, "Material in Many Dimensions" and "Thought and the Brain".
Nobel Posters
Why does a Nobel laureate receive the world's most prestigious prize? Nobel posters with a popular-scientific approach explaining the physics and chemistry prizes are ready by the first week in December and are distributed all over the world as well as to all Sweden's grammar and comprehensive schools, folk high schools and natural-science departments at universities and colleges.
The Observatory Museum
More than 100 school classes visits the Academy's Observatory Museum every year. The Museum is located in the observatory from the 18th century and the exhibitions covers history of science with an emphasis on astronomy, geography and meteorology. Evening tours can include astronomic observations through telescope.
ICMI-Sweden
ICMI-Sweden is a subdepartment to the Swedish National Committee for Mathematics. It's aim is among others to support the development of research and development in mathematics education in Sweden, to provide a forum for increased contacts and more exchanges of ideas among mathematics educators in schools, at teacher training, colleges and universities and to act as a link between ICMI, the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction, and practitioners in the Swedish mathematics education system.