2007 Programs & Events
China Association of Science and Technology (CAST) Science Program
China Association of Science and Technology (CAST) Science Program
Site visits and dates to be determined
Executive Summary
THE PROJECT
Global Interactions, a Phoenix-based non-profit with 22 years of international work with Chinese professional organizations, has a multi-year proposal from the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the China Council for the Promotion of Applied Technology Exchanges with Foreign Countries (CCPAT) and the China International Conference Center for Science and Technology (CICCST). The agreement would involve Global Interactions receiving delegations of Chinese science experts, specialists, and teachers who want to understand how America “popularizes” science and promotes scientific literacy through our government, schools, communities, corporations, and NGOs. CAST plans to send delegations of 25-30 participants for 21 days. Their stay will include attending trainings on standards, policies, best practices, research, as well as visits to schools, museums, corporations, associations, and projects to meet American specialists/experts/teachers and to learn from them first-hand how we educate our citizens and incorporate science education in our daily lives.
The scope of the project targets 9400 Chinese experts/specialists/teachers that will be selected from 3617 provincial societies throughout China. The first two delegations are targeted to come to the United States in April and October of 2007. The outcome of the Project for China is to develop “A National Action Plan for Scientific Literacy for All Chinese Citizens.”
THE PLAN
Global Interaction strongly advocates for Arizona to be the base for this exchange, meaning all Chinese delegations would begin their U.S. visits in Arizona before going to the National Science Foundation, a partner with the project, and other states that have requested that the Chinese delegations visit their schools and cities. Global Interactions is now seeking Arizona organizations, schools, associations, and corporation to become a member of the planning committee to assist with the design and implementation of the pilot year of the program.
THE POSSIBILITIES …. ENDLESS
• To highlight Arizona’s corporate, community, and educational science and technology achievements
• To meet and discuss issues of common concern with experts and specialists who are our counterparts in the field of science from China
• To explore ways Arizona teachers, scientists, and the economic community can become better informed and engaged with the Chinese science community
• To explain and demonstrate how we are addressing issues in our country and the results we are getting from our efforts
• To discover what China is doing that is similar or different from our own approaches
• To learn how Chinese educators produce high performing science, math, and technology students in their schools
• To build sustainable relationships with the Chinese science community to continue the dialogue and exchange
• To develop collaboration around key issues of concern to science experts in both countries
• To connect our schools (teachers and students) with schools in China to exchange information about science and technologies that will preserve and improve the quality of life for our future
• To create opportunities for joint projects that will continue beyond their stay in Arizona
• To accept our invitation to join us in this project by promoting this exchange and assisting our community in global understanding.
• MUCH, MUCH, MORE ..