The constructivist research programme in science education

Constructivism is an influential perspective in education.

For many years constructivism was considered the dominant perspective or even 'paradigm' within science education. The research programme (RP), a research programme into the contingent nature of learning science continues to be highly important as it explores student thinking and learning, and how teaching can be designed to better support student learning.

This RP "explores learning in science to inform science teaching. As education is more than anything else about teaching and learning, this RP is central to the field of Science Education [and] of interest to anyone working in Science Education – whether as a researcher or teacher" (Taber, 2009: 1).

Much of Keith S. Taber's work has been informed by constructivism, and he welcomes approaches form potential graduate students looking to do research in this area.

Reference

Taber, K. S. (2009). Progressing Science Education: Constructing the scientific research programme into the contingent nature of learning science. Dordrecht: Springer.