Life, the Universe and Almost Everything: The Value of Adults Learning in Science. A Policy Discussion Paper.

This paper explores the value of encouraging adults in the United Kingdom to participate in learning in science through extensive consultations with practitioners in the field of science education. Data were also collected through a literature review and a brief survey to collect views regarding adults' participation in learning opportunities in science. This paper reports that the analysis confirmed the need to promote and develop additional opportunities for adult participation in education in the sciences, engineering, and technology. The following were among the nine broad suggestions for promoting more democratic access to dialogue and debate about science matters and to widen participation in related learning: (1) initiate planning for a more coherent and flexible lifelong learning curriculum responsive to communities and interest groups; (2) celebrate and promote examples of good practice encouraging adults to learn more about science for its own sake; (3) develop wider access to initial and in-service training provision in relation to science teaching; and (4) expand access to short courses in media presentation and communication for scientists and journalists. Thirty-eight specified recommendations directed toward specific agencies were also presented. The following items are appended: lists of core members of the Advisory Group on Adult Learners and Science and survey respondents; selected statistics; and a 53-item bibliography. (MN)