GAMTAMOKSLINIS UGDYMAS MOKYKLOJE: DŽIAUGTIS AR SUSIRŪPINTI [NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION AT SCHOOL: JOY OR CONCERN]

The introductory article of this issue deals with natural science education changes at school in recent years. For the science education to be successful, teacher qualification or student's motivation are not enough, a good material base (laboratory, research equipment, tools and materials), and outdoor educational environments are needed. After implementing several projects in the country, the situation in schools has improved, but not enough. Much is expected from the activities of the STEAM centre network, which started on October 27, 2021. Of course, the change for the better is pleasing, however, there are also sad things. The small proportion of high school graduates who take exams in science (about 20% in biology, 5% – in chemistry, 9% – in physics), shows that there is an underlying problem – many find natural sciences a hard nut to crack. Studies in natural sciences should be dominated by research, experiment, observation – that is, a research activity component. And if this segment is ignored, it is difficult for many students to find connections between objects, phenomena, processes. Another problem is – the lack of nature teachers. What is more, life is full of challenges: climate change, pandemics, and so on. A certain level of scientific literacy is needed to comprehend the abundance of true and false news. It is important to bring the student closer to nature. But a teacher of any subject can help in that child's path. After all, in the environment, in nature, there are many contexts suitable for learning other subjects as well. Especially as today's global problems have outgrown the boundaries of natural sciences. Social and human sciences, and the arts must also be in closer relationship.