Actions of the European Research Project Partnerships for Science Education (PAFSE) with 9th-grade students at Xylotympou Gymnasium about Tobacco Smoking
Since the start of the school year 2023-2024, the European Research Project Partnerships for Science Education (PAFSE), which is funded by the European Union (EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program) and whose local partner is the University of Cyprus (UCY), has been actively engaging with 9th-grade students at Xylotympou Gymnasium. The students explore the socio-scientific issue about Tobacco Smoking through an interdisciplinary approach.
Specifically, the students’ research project aims to answer the following primary research questions:
- What are the biological, social, economic, cultural, and ethical dimensions of tobacco smoking?
- What are the main reasons 9th grade students in our school give for tobacco smoking?
- What are the main reasons people of the local community where you live give for tobacco smoking among students in our school?
To answer the research questions of this socio-scientific issue, students are asked to formulate specific questions and hypotheses, to collect data from a variety of inquiry-based sources (e.g., such as texts, articles, pictures and videos, tables and diagrams and scientific measurements, questionnaires, interviews, etc.) analyse, make inferences, synthesize, and draw conclusions. Furthermore, to enhance the students’ comprehension and raise awareness regarding the socio-scientific issue about tobacco smoking, activities were developed related to topics such as the structure and function of the human respiratory system, and circulatory (heart and blood vessels) system, as well as social determinants associated with this topic.
Yet, the students have crafted a theatrical performance centered around tobacco smoking and the various challenges it poses to both individuals and society as a whole. They plan to showcase this piece during the upcoming final open schooling event they are organizing.
The lead teacher for the actions related to the socio-scientific issue about tobacco smoking is Ms. Anna Panayi (MSc), Biology teacher at Xylotympou Gymnasium.
