SCIENCE EDUCATION IN EUROPE.

The article focuses on education in Europe in comparison with that of U.S. In European schools most of their formal education is in the field of languages, mathematics, formal science and the social sciences, while U.S. are much more aware of the importance of science and the impact it has on everyday living. In European countries, teaching science at the elementary level, consists of a few items of nature study concerning only the particular locality in which the school is situated. U.S. is much more interested in good citizens than in the gifted while in Europe, just the reverse seems to be true. To summarize briefly, Europe emphasizes on facts and principles. Classes are teacher-centered rather than textbook centered, and much higher degree of intensive work is demanded. The European curriculum is not flexible at elementary and high school levels, but on the university level a student is expected to help and participate in the formulation of educational plans.