TORONTO, May 7, 1997 -- York University will host educators, students, parents, business people, scientists, and government education officials this weekend when they gather for an innovative event examining the future of elementary and secondary science education in Ontario.

The York Forum on School Science will take place on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 at Yvonne Public School, 36 Yvonne Avenue, (Jane Street and Wilson Avenue) North York, Ontario. About 75 people will be deliberating over future directions for science education in the province and making recommendations for changes and improvements to the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training and other decision makers in education. Bob Prince, York's dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, and Stan Shapson, dean of the Faculty of Education, are the official hosts of the forum.

"Educational issues in the province are so often discussed in a confrontational way, with educators, parents, or government officials talking at one another through the media," said York education professor Graham Orpwood, the forum director. "We wanted to get people talking to -- not at -- one another."

"This forum is designed to bring together as many perspectives as possible into one room to discuss the future of science in our schools," Orpwood said. Ontario students have not scored well on some recent national and international science tests, and Orpwood said the timing is right for an examination of science education in the province. Organizers stress that this forum will be a truly consultative vehicle for change rather than a series of lectures to a passive audience.

Three working groups of participants will examine: science in elementary education, science in secondary education, and supporting school science in ways other than through the formal curriculum. The participants will produce a report on their findings after the forum ends.

An equal number of non-educators and educators will be attending the forum. Orpwood said that the presence of students, parents, scientists, and business people is vital to a relevant discussion. "It's important that a broad variety of stakeholders come together to discuss the future of science in our schools," he added. "It's not enough for parents and business people to sit on the sidelines and criticize education -- they need to get involved to help us all develop solutions together."

The forum will begin with a plenary session and panel discussion on "The Future of Ontario Science Education." The discussion will run from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday May 9 and includes four speakers: