Present conditions of private conferences in science education in Nara Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the actual conditions of private conferences in science education in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The results are as follows: (1) There are eight private conferences in science education in Nara Prefecture. (2) The number of activities per year is about 10, and the number of participants is less than 60. (3) Kinds of school in the participants are two or three in most of private meetings. (4) The conferences are held on holidays, and the participants do not receive any compensation for their attendance. (5) The activities are wide-ranging, and they do not contain a demonstration class. (6) The participants discuss science topics actively, and they can get information about what they want to know. (7) The private conferences play an important role in enhancing science teachers' teaching skills.