THE EARLY YEARS
Fred Brinkman
The RDC was instituted in the late 1980s, originally under the name of "The training of science teachers." Under the leadership of Fred Brinkman (pictured second from left above, and at the Warsaw conference in 2002), it rapidly became perhaps the largest and most dynamic group in the Association. It was one of the few RDCs to focus on teacher education for a specific school subject - or, more accurately, a cluster of subjects. From the mid-1990s, the group attracted a number of participants who were chiefly interested in mathematics education rather than science education, and the RDC willingly enlarged its mandate to include studies related to mathematics. Work at this stage was varied, but many papers had a focus on teacher thinking and conceptual change. This focus was eventually reflected in the RDC's first formal project, which dominated the work of the group in the late 1990s.
DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE TIME OF THE FIRST RDC PROJECT
Onno de Jong
The mathematics educators in the group were the first to form a collaborative subgroup (known as the Oslo Maths Group because their collaborative project - the Oslo Maths Project - started at the annual conference in Oslo in 1995), using what became known as the "lesson preparation method." Their methodology was replicated by subgroups in the different science areas, and the larger project flourished. During this period, leadership of the group was taken over by Onno de Jong, a notable participant in the project; his appointment maintained the strong influence of teacher educators from the Netherlands that contributed to the group's early productivity. It should be noted also that Sheila Turner and Tony Turner, both from England, served as joint vice-chairs until 2000, when they bowed out of ATEE. They were replaced as RDC vice-chairs by Laurinda Leite (Portugal) and Elizabeth Oldham (Ireland), representing science and mathematics respectively. The name of the group was changed to "The training of science and mathematics teachers" to emphasize the widened mandate - though the expanded designation was not always reflected in ATEE literature and communications.
WORK IN THE 2000s
Varied work continued, and included the development of further projects (with Chris Hopkins from England and Sarah [Sally] Berenson from the USA playing key roles in the projects' design). Conference sessions involving the RDC benefited also from the presentation of papers on many topics unconnected with these. A further name change - this time undertaken as part of a streamlining exercise by ATEE - saw the group take on its present title, "Science and mathematics education."
Varied work continued, and included the development of further projects (with Chris Hopkins from England and Sarah [Sally] Berenson from the USA playing key roles in the projects' design). Conference sessions involving the RDC benefited also from the presentation of papers on many topics unconnected with these. A further name change - this time undertaken as part of a streamlining exercise by ATEE - saw the group take on its present title, "Science and mathematics education."
 Elizabeth Oldham and Laurinda Leite
Onno de Jong stepped down from active involvement in ATEE after the 2002 conference in Warsaw. Laurinda Leite and Elizabeth Oldham then worked as co-chairs, with Elsa Price (USA) later appointed as vice-chair. In summer 2013, Laurinda was temporarily released from her position as co-chair in order to concentrate on hosting the 2014 Annual Conference in Braga, Portugal; she resumed the role once the work of the conference was completed.
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Elsa Price
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Milan Stojkovic and Lorraine Harbison
Subsequently, ATEE abolished the designations "co-chair" and "vice-chair". Laurinda and Elsa ended their periods of office in 2019, and Milan Stojkovic (from Serbia, and currently working in Germany) took over as chair for science. In Spring 2021, Elizabeth was replaced as chair for mathematics by Lorraine Harbison (from Ireland).
In 2015 and 2016, discussion at the RDC meetings included consideration of STEM education. The RDC considered extending its mandate so as to cover this area or cooperating with the RDC "Teacher education and digital technology" on the subject. Ideas are still welcome, but the potential dialogue was obviated by the COVID pandemic and hence the absence of face-to-face discussions. The pandemic also inhibited work on the (then) latest project, the Functions Project.
In 2015 and 2016, discussion at the RDC meetings included consideration of STEM education. The RDC considered extending its mandate so as to cover this area or cooperating with the RDC "Teacher education and digital technology" on the subject. Ideas are still welcome, but the potential dialogue was obviated by the COVID pandemic and hence the absence of face-to-face discussions. The pandemic also inhibited work on the (then) latest project, the Functions Project.
DEVELOPMENTS SINCE 2021
When work resumed at the (virtual) Warsaw conference in 2021, focus shifted to the design of low-floor, high-ceiling tasks that could engage students in problem posing and problem solving in science and mathematics. This led over the next couple of years to the development of Mathscify, a multilingual toolkit - encapsulated in a website - containing tasks and resources for supporting teachers in the formative assessment of students undertaking the tasks. Mathscify is the first funded project run by the Science and Mathematics RDC. Work is currently ongoing (2025).
When work resumed at the (virtual) Warsaw conference in 2021, focus shifted to the design of low-floor, high-ceiling tasks that could engage students in problem posing and problem solving in science and mathematics. This led over the next couple of years to the development of Mathscify, a multilingual toolkit - encapsulated in a website - containing tasks and resources for supporting teachers in the formative assessment of students undertaking the tasks. Mathscify is the first funded project run by the Science and Mathematics RDC. Work is currently ongoing (2025).
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD
The RDC's website, set up in summer 2012, is a natural place in which to store visual as well as textual material. This section displays photographs that show RDC members - at work, or enjoying the social life that is a feature of ATEE conferences! In general, the photographs here are those taken by members, complementing the official records that may appear on ATEE websites. The most recent pictures can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
We welcome contributions! These - in .jpg or .png format - can be sent to either of the RDC's chairs: currently Milan Stojkovic ([email protected]) and Lorraine Harbison ([email protected]).
The RDC's website, set up in summer 2012, is a natural place in which to store visual as well as textual material. This section displays photographs that show RDC members - at work, or enjoying the social life that is a feature of ATEE conferences! In general, the photographs here are those taken by members, complementing the official records that may appear on ATEE websites. The most recent pictures can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
We welcome contributions! These - in .jpg or .png format - can be sent to either of the RDC's chairs: currently Milan Stojkovic ([email protected]) and Lorraine Harbison ([email protected]).
INTER-CONFERENCE RDC MEETING 1996
The Oslo Maths Group meeting in Dublin, Spring 1996: Sally Berenson, Maria Blanton, Ton van der Valk...
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... and Ulla Runesson, Cândida Queiros Moreira & Elizabeth Oldham working on the RDC's first co-operative project
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 1999
Enjoying drinks during the Annual Conference in Leipzig, 1999 (facing camera: Ineke Frederik, Tony Turner; in profile: Ton van der Valk)
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2002
RDC members in a session at the 2002 Annual Conference in Warsaw (from left to right, standing: Elsa Price, Christine Hopkins, Maria de Fátima Paixão, Kristina Öberg, Karen Dawkins, Maryann Ehle, (?), (?); seated, Jo Ann Belk, Laurinda Leite)
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The American contingent ((?), Maryann Ehle, Elsa Price, Karen Dawkins, Melvin Price, Jo Ann Belk) enjoy an evening in the city
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2007
The 2007 Annual Conference festive dinner at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC stadium
(Trisha Eaton, Laurinda Leite, Teresa Vilaça; Kristina Öberg, Karen Dawkins, Sally Berenson)
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2008
An RDC session at the 2008 Annual Conference in Brussels: Ruth Forrest and Sally Berenson
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009
The organisers of the 2009 Annual Conference in Mallorca, Mireia Montane and Joana Salazar Noguera, relaxing with RDC co-chair Elizabeth Oldham (centre) ..................................................................... Workshop leaders V. Bundhoo and A. Bholoa with Theodora De Baz, Elsa Price and (?) Frantiŝek Fort at an RDC session
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2010
At the 2010 Annual Conference in Budapest: Laurinda Leite, Maria Bravo, Trisha Eaton, Maja Cindric, Elsa Price
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Evening cruise on the Danube: Elizabeth Oldham (dressed for rain!)
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At the Budapest conference dinner: Teresa Vilaça (standing), Maryann Ehle, Maria Bravo and her daughter...
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... and Maja Cindric, Elsa Price, Melvin Price
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2011
Sally Berenson - chief originator of the Oslo Maths Project and the Ratio Project - at her last ATEE conference (so far!)
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The University of Latvia - site of the conference - from the State Park
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Dignified setting!
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2012
The 2012 Annual Conference in Eskişehir: Waiting for the bus at Istanbul airport (Teresa Vilaça, Laurinda Leite) ........................................ Turkish food at the Namli hotel - Elizabeth Oldham... ... and friends (Maryann Ehle, second from right)
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013
New members for the RDC in ... (Milan Stojkovic )
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... some of the sessions at the 2013 Annual Conference in Østfold, Norway (Gerd Johansen, Hilde Afdal, Batya Amit)
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Elsa Price and Hilde Afdal with family and ...
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... Laurinda Leite with friends at the Østfold conference dinner
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2014
Elsa Price and Piedade Vaz Rebelo at Coimbra after the Braga conference
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Participants (Milan Stojkovic, Jim Freemyer, Donatella De Tommaso, Linda Hobbs, Elsa Price, Anna Asti, Maurice OReilly and Elizabeth Oldham) at the end of a session at the 2014 Annual Conference in Braga
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Milan Stojkovic and Laurinda Leite at Guimaraes after the Braga conference
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2015
Linda Hobbs and Mellita Jones
Maurice OReilly and Trisha Eaton
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The Kosovo delegation! Imran Thaqi, Xhevdet Thaqi, Ekrem Aljimi, Aferdita Aljimi
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Melvin Price, Elizabeth Oldham and Elsa Price
At dinner before the ceilidh at the 2015 Annual Conference in Glasgow
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Presenters Maurice OReilly, Trisha Eaton, Sandra Jederud, Laila Niklasson, Imran Thaqi and Xhevdet Thaqi at the fourth parallel session in Glasgow
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2016
Elsa Price, Iclal Ayvar, Elizabeth Oldham and Laurinda Leite at the 2016 Annual Conference in Eindhoven
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Milan Stojkovic, Elizabeth Oldham, Jouri Van Landeghem, Nele Vermeulen, Elsa Price and Laurinda Leite after an RDC session
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Eindhoven - the weather was lovely ... not so sure about the arithmetic!
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017
Ljubica Oparnica, Arne Mogensen, Floriano Viseu, Elizabeth Oldham, Laurinda Leite and Elsa Price framed by the "lavender" visual identity of the 2017 Annual Conference in Dubrovnik
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Remember the view from the hotel?
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Elsa Price, Arne Mogensen, Lorraine Harbison, Kristóf Velkey, Elizabeth Oldham, Floriano Viseu and Laurinda Leite after an RDC meeting
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Eddie Costello, Laurinda Leite and Patsy Stafford during an RDC meeting
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WINTER CONFERENCE 2018
Stella Long and Elizabeth Oldham with other Irish participants Melanie Ní Dhuinn and Teresa O'Doherty
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On the route from the town centre to the conference location
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SPRING CONFERENCE 2018
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Opening session in Bialystok - a new location for the Spring Conference. |
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Milan Stojkovic was the only representative of the RDC present, and was "behind the camera" for this photo. |
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2018
Presentations on science ...
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... and mathematics ...
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... at the 2018 Annual Conference in Gävle
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RDC members and friends enjoying an evening meal
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Milan Stojkovic discussing his poster
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Helena Martinho on the tour of the Old Town
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WINTER CONFERENCE 2019 [ORGANISED BY THE RDC]
Opening session: Laurinda Leite (coordinator of the Organising Committee) on the right, next to ATEE Vice-President Davide Parmigiani
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Laurinda closing the conference
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Keynote speakers: Merrilyn Goos (mathematics) ...
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... and Ilka Parchmann
(science)
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The panel discussion: João Pedro Ponte, Maria Alessandra Mariotti, Elsa Price (chair) and António Cachapuz
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Tour of the 3Bs Institute
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Visit to I3Bs - Institute of Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Guimarães
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Ronny Smet (Chair of RDC Chairs) and Ljubica Oparnica outside the Institute
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Parallel Session 3: Ljubica Oparnica presenting
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Parallel Session 3 presenters: Elizabeth Oldham, Ljubica Oparnica and Ineta Helmane
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Milan Stojkovic's poster
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Maria Helena Martinho's and Floriano Viseu's poster - a contribution to the Functions Project
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Keith Walters at the Social Dinner in the Hotel Vila Galé
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Social Dinner in the Hotel Vila Galé: at the table nearest the camera - Milan Stojkovic, Kalina Jastrzębowska (almost hidden), Stalo Stratoura Savoulli, Adam Lloyd, Merrilyn Goos and Elsa Price
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Outside Palácio do Raio before the Social Dinner: Zelha Tunç-Pekkan, Elizabeth Oldham, Patsy Stafford and Maria (?)
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Social Dinner in the Hotel Vila Galé: at the table nearest the camera - Helena Martinho, Maria Alessandra Mariotti, ?, Patsy Stafford, Zelha Tunç-Pekkan, Eddie Costello, ?, ? [Dimitris?], Floriano Viseu, Helena Rocha
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019
Nick Peatfield, Sarah Earle, Milan Stojkovic, Elizabeth Oldham, Odd Tore Kaufmann, Sanna Forsstrom, Henrik Stigberg and ...
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... Elsa Price after the second RDC session at Bath Spa
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Milan Stojkovic by his poster
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Not members of the RDC, but residents on ...
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... the beautiful Bath Spa parkland campus
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NOTE
There was no Annual Conference in 2020. The Annual Conference in 2021 was held online, and that in 2022 was hybrid - with the RDC meetings being virtual, and no photos were taken.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023
Miriam Ryan, Mairéad Holden and Lorraine Harbison
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RDC members and presenters with the Mathscify home page showing onscreen
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Elizabeth Oldham and Milan Stojkovic
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Setting for the social dinner / cruise
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Dining on the Danube:
Bonnie Price and Elsa Price
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SPRING CONFERENCE 2024
[Note: there was no Annual Conference in 2024; the Spring conference played the role.]
Chiesa di Sant'Agostino - interior, with historic frescoes
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Chiesa di Sant'Agostino - sun after rain
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Elsa Price and Teresa Vilaca
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Mairéad Holden and Beverley McCormick speaking in a parallel session
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An RDC session chaired by Lorraine Harbison; Hilde Rabaut is presenting ...
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... while Judith Callan-Gough and Miriam Ryan are attending virtually
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