About the Unit

The aim of chemistry teacher education is to train active, skilled and enthusiastic research-oriented teachers capable of lifelong learning.

A further aim of the Unit is to educate researchers specialised in the teaching of chemistry. From 2005, it has been possible to complete a postgraduate degree (Lic.Phil./D.Phil.) in chemistry education and its research. The postgraduate (Lic.Phil./D.Phil.) students in chemistry education are provided with a personal study plan.

In order to achieve the aims, the emphasis in the chemistry teacher education is on evidence-based chemistry education: the most up-to-date scholarly evidence-based knowledge on both chemistry and learning and on teaching it.

Centre for Chemistry Education

National LUMA Centre activities support interaction between teachers in the field and the Unit through the Centre for Chemistry Education (Kemma) by organising workshops and summer courses on topical themes. In the training events, the most recent research information is applied while interacting with the researchers in the Kumpula Campus. The instructors often also include chemistry education students in the Master's degree of postgraduate stages.

Teachers receive virtual support through the website of the Centre. This includes information on chemistry and research on its teaching. The theses on chemistry education are usually published on the website. The website also includes new teaching materials, and Ask About Chemistry service. The chemistry teachers are also free to participate in the Master’s degree Seminar in Chemistry Education and its Research, which is organised once a month. The Kemma resource centre supports teachers also in situ by offering the most recent materials (books, research articles, computer software, videos) as support for teaching. When needed it also provide guidance.

Chemistry Education Forum

The Unit has supported the dissemination of new knowledge since 2006 by, for example, organising the annual national Chemistry Education Forum. The main aim of the Forum is to support the interaction between the students, teachers, research, various organisations and the world of business. The Forum programme is integrated into the course programme of student teachers. The Forum provides a good opportunity for young students of chemistry education and student teachers as well as postgraduate students to present their own research through a poster exhibition and conference publication. The teachers in the field also receive the most up-to-date information on chemistry learning, studying and teaching in their own language. The Forum also presents the newest research information on chemistry.