Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science

São Paulo, Brazil

R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011

Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science

science in a nation on the move

Roberto A. Kraenkel

Institute for Theoretical PhysicsSão Paulo State University - UNESP

São Paulo, Brazil

São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

2

reading economic history through the GDP

São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

2

GDP ( in current U$)


World Bank Data

São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

2



Debt crisis

World Bank Data

São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

2



Debt crisis

Stabilisation of currency

World Bank Data

São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

2



Debt crisis


1998 crisis

World Bank Data

São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

2



Debt crisis


1998 crisis

sustained growthWorld Bank Data

São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

3

changes everywhere

Population under poverty line

30%

20%

10% in 5 years

Gini Coefficient, a statistical measure inequality of income

São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

3

changes everywhere

World Bank Data


30%

20%

10% in 5 years


São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

3

changes everywhere

World Bank Data


30%

20%

10% in 5 years


But still one of the highest in the world

São Paulo, Brazil


The Context

4

Brazil is quickly improving economically and socially

but

inequalities ate still very strong.

São Paulo, Brazil


Brazilian Science at the age of 60

5

Brazilian science is very young!exempli gratia

1950Brazil ==> only 12 physicists with PhD.

USA ==> 7 Nobel prize winners in Physics.

São Paulo, Brazil



6

São Paulo, Brazil



6

Since the fifties the nation has seen the consolidation of a network of Universities with strong research commitments, as well as funding agencies and research institutes. However, only very recently has Brazilian science come to the international stage.

São Paulo, Brazil



6

Science and Technology expenditures

from 2003 to 2009: 60% increase

São Paulo, Brazil



6

São Paulo, Brazil

R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 7

adapted from S.M. Rezende: The role of Physics in Brazil and challenges for the 21st century, available at

http://www.sbf1.sbfisica.org.br/eventos/enf/2011/sys/resumos/A3195-1.pdf

How many ?

São Paulo, Brazil



8

THE problem:transform science into welfare

sucess storiesPetrobras - deep see drilling for oil and gas

Embraer - planes ( now, private)

Embrapa; world leader in tropical agrobusiness

Bio-ethanol fuels ( a network of private companies)

São Paulo, Brazil



8

THE problem:transform science into welfare

sucess storiesPetrobras - deep see drilling for oil and gas

Embraer - planes ( now, private)

Embrapa; world leader in tropical agrobusiness

Bio-ethanol fuels ( a network of private companies)

Success stories ==> state initiatives

Low number of science based tech companies

Lack of R&D investment by most companies

São Paulo, Brazil


Education in Brazil

9

Brazilian educational landscape is framed by the strong inequalities of the society. The changes in the Brazilian social structure over the last decade have exerted stresses on the educational system, which still strives to adapt to a changing reality.

7-14 years old youngsters in

school

98% - 2010

86% - 1992

Need of more schools and teachers at high school.

15-17 years old youngsters

attending high-school

50% -2008

30% - 1998

strong growth

São Paulo, Brazil


Education in Brazil: what about science?

10

Strong deficit of science teachers at high-school

demand (estimated)

teachers with a science degree

number of persons that obtained an undergrad

degree in science education in the last 10 years

São Paulo, Brazil



10


demand (estimated)




These people are not becoming

teachers !

São Paulo, Brazil



10


demand (estimated)





teachers !

why?

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10


demand (estimated)





teachers !

why?

Low wages, low prestige, social

tensions

São Paulo, Brazil



Ministry of Education

Establishesnational parameters.

Defines the large lines of the curricula.

Build knowledge taking into account the reality of students.

Does not defines precise contents. Put emphasis on skills and process.

Teachers are largely not prepared!

Teachers largely rely on textbooks and pre-prepared classes

problem

dead science, “no-science”.

Universities based experimental techniques

High-Profile Private Schools

transpose?large scale?

São Paulo, Brazil


Science IlliteracyBrazilian specific analysis

12

Causes: rather obvious from the preceding facts about science education at high-schools

PISA ranking

53 in 65 very bad !

however:one of the fastest improving country

number of researchers per million of inhabitants

USA: 4666France: 3496China: 1070Brazil: 656 ====>>> LOW,

proxys of science in society

São Paulo, Brazil



12

Causes: rather obvious from the preceding facts about science education at high-schools

PISA ranking

53 in 65 very bad !

however:one of the fastest improving country

number of researchers per million of inhabitants

USA: 4666France: 3496China: 1070Brazil: 656 ====>>> LOW, BUT: raised

from 400 to 656 in five years

proxys of science in society

São Paulo, Brazil


Low number of

Science and Technology

students


Economic issues

Engineering is the main problem

São Paulo, Brazil


Low number of


students


Economic issues


tens of thousands of engineers are needed

in the next years

São Paulo, Brazil


Low number of


students


Economic issues


Education for Science and Technology is one of the main priorities of the

Ministry of Education.


in the next years

São Paulo, Brazil


Low number of


students


Economic issues




Program of international fellowships of 3 billion

dollars

13 new universities in the last 8 years. New campi. New programs


in the next years

São Paulo, Brazil


Low number of


students


Economic issues




Program of international fellowships of 3 billion

dollars

13 new universities in the last 8 years. New campi. New programs


in the next years

full PhD employment

São Paulo, Brazil


Final Comments

• Very rapid economic and social changes exert strong stresses on the educational system

• Science education is particularly needed

• High-school education is presently the main bottleneck

• Opportunities for new methods, new curricula.

São Paulo, Brazil


Thank you for your attention

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science

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