Chemistry in Contemporary Society: An Adult Education Programme

媒体上有关科学的报道继续激发着公众的想象力。然而，有相当一部分成年人的科学知识甚至不足以理解这些问题的最基本方面。其结果是，一部分普通公众对科学感到沮丧，甚至害怕。该计划的目标是发展和展示一个广泛的活动计划，说明化学的重要性和普遍性，并允许只有基本科学知识的成年人通过演讲，演示，辩论，参观实验室和实际化学的实践经验来学习化学。该计划旨在通过品尝活动（由APTT， WEA和纽卡斯尔大学提供）向参与者介绍基础化学和现代化学的各个方面。其他机构（诺森比亚大学终身学习中心、生命科学中心和开放大学）也在这个项目上有专业知识和承诺。参加品尝课程的学员将获得指导和鼓励，通过注册这些机构提供的稍微高级的课程来进一步提高他们的科学知识。更高级的课程包括那些独立的、只持续几周的、更详细地发展化学某一方面的课程，也包括那些能获得包括学位在内的正式资格的课程。

Stories in the media about science continue to fire the imaginations of the general public. However, there is a significant proportion of the adult population whose scientific knowledge is insufficient to understand even the most basic aspects of these issues. The result is a section of the general public who are frustrated, or even intimidated, by science. The objective of this programme is to develop and present an extensive programme of events which illustrates the importance and pervasive nature of chemistry, and allows mature adults with only a rudimentary knowledge of science to learn about chemistry through presentations, demonstrations, debate, visits to laboratories and hands-on experience of practical chemistry. The programme has been designed to introduce the participants gently to a variety of aspects of fundamental and contemporary chemistry through taster events (presented by APTT, WEA and University of Newcastle). Other institutions (Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Northumbria, Life Sciences Centre and The Open University) with an expertise and commitment to teaching adults are also collaborating on this project. Participants in the taster courses will receive guidance and encouragement to further their scientific knowledge by registering for the slightly more advanced course offered by these institutions. The more advanced courses range from those which stand alone, last only a few weeks and develop a particular aspect of chemistry in more detail, to those that lead to formal qualifications including degrees.