Presentation on the situation of science education in Brazil, at the "Université europeéne d'été: Science, culture, éducation Des sociétés guettées par l’illettrisme scientifique ?" organized by the IHEST ( http://www.ihest.fr ) in 2011. Note that the opinions expressed represent a reflection on the status quo at that time.

1. São Paulo, Brazil
Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science
science in a nation on the move
Roberto A. Kraenkel
Institute for Theoretical Physics
São Paulo State University - UNESP
São Paulo, Brazil
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011

2. São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
reading economic history through the GDP
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 2

3. São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
reading economic history through the GDP
World Bank Data
GDP ( in current U$)
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 2

4. São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
reading economic history through the GDP
World Bank Data
GDP ( in current U$)
Debt crisis
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 2

5. São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
reading economic history through the GDP
World Bank Data
GDP ( in current U$)
Stabilisation of currency
Debt crisis
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 2

6. São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
reading economic history through the GDP
World Bank Data
GDP ( in current U$)
Stabilisation of currency
Debt crisis
1998 crisis
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 2

7. São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
reading economic history through the GDP
sustained growth
World Bank Data
GDP ( in current U$)
Stabilisation of currency
Debt crisis
1998 crisis
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 2

8. São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
changes everywhere
Population under poverty
line
30% 10% in 5 years
Gini Coefficient, a statistical measure inequality of
20%
income
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 3

9. World Bank Data
São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
changes everywhere
Population under poverty
line
30% 10% in 5 years
Gini Coefficient, a statistical measure inequality of
20%
income
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 3

10. World Bank Data
São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
changes everywhere
Population under poverty
line
30% 10% in 5 years
Gini Coefficient, a statistical measure inequality of
20%
income
But still one of the highest in the world
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 3

11. São Paulo, Brazil
The Context
Brazil is quickly improving economically and socially
but
inequalities ate still very strong.
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 4

12. Brazilian Science at the
São Paulo, Brazil
age of 60
Brazilian science is very young!
exempli gratia
1950
Brazil ==> only 12 physicists with PhD.
USA ==> 7 Nobel prize winners in Physics.
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 5

13. Brazilian Science at the São Paulo, Brazil
age of 60
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 6

14. Brazilian Science at the São Paulo, Brazil
age of 60
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.
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 6

15. Brazilian Science at the São Paulo, Brazil
age of 60
Science and Technology expenditures
from 2003 to 2009: 60% increase
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 6

16. Brazilian Science at the São Paulo, Brazil
age of 60
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 6

17. São Paulo, Brazil
How many ?
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
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 7

18. Brazilian Science at the
São Paulo, Brazil
age of 60
THE problem:
transform science into welfare
sucess stories
Petrobras - 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)
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 8

19. Brazilian Science at the
São Paulo, Brazil
age of 60
THE problem:
transform science into welfare
Success stories ==> state initiatives
sucess stories
Low number of science based tech companies
Petrobras - deep see drilling for oil and gas
Embraer - planes ( now, private)
Lack of R&D investment by most companies
Embrapa; world leader in tropical agrobusiness
Bio-ethanol fuels ( a network of private companies)
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 8

20. Education in Brazil
São Paulo, Brazil
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.
15-17 years old
7-14 years old
youngsters
youngsters in
attending high- Need of more
school
school schools and
teachers at
98% - 2010
50% -2008 high school.
86% - 1992
30% - 1998
strong growth
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 9

21. São Paulo, Brazil
Education in Brazil: what about science?
demand (estimated)
teachers with a science
degree
number of persons that
obtained an undergrad
degree in science education
in the last 10 years
Strong deficit of science teachers at high-school
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 10

22. São Paulo, Brazil
Education in Brazil: what about science?
demand (estimated)
teachers with a science
degree These people are
number of persons that not becoming
obtained an undergrad teachers !
degree in science education
in the last 10 years
Strong deficit of science teachers at high-school
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 10

23. São Paulo, Brazil
Education in Brazil: what about science?
demand (estimated) why?
teachers with a science
degree These people are
number of persons that not becoming
obtained an undergrad teachers !
degree in science education
in the last 10 years
Strong deficit of science teachers at high-school
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 10

24. São Paulo, Brazil
Education in Brazil: what about science?
Low wages, low
prestige, social
tensions
demand (estimated) why?
teachers with a science
degree These people are
number of persons that not becoming
obtained an undergrad teachers !
degree in science education
in the last 10 years
Strong deficit of science teachers at high-school
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 10

25. Education in Brazil: what about science? São Paulo, Brazil
Ministry of Build Teachers are
Education knowledge largely not
taking into p prepared! Universities
Establishes account the r based
national reality of o experimental
students. Teachers
parameters. b techniques
largely rely
l
Does not on textbooks
Defines the e
defines precise and pre- High-Profile
large lines of m
contents. Put prepared Private
the curricula.
emphasis on classes Schools
skills and
process.
dead science,
“no-science”.
transpose?
large scale?
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 11

26. Science Illiteracy Brazilian specific analysis
São Paulo, Brazil
Causes: rather obvious from the preceding
facts about science education at high-schools
proxys of science in society
number of researchers per million of inhabitants
PISA ranking
USA: 4666
53 in 65
France: 3496
very bad !
China: 1070
Brazil: 656 ====>>> LOW,
however:
one of the fastest
improving country
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 12

27. Science Illiteracy Brazilian specific analysis
São Paulo, Brazil
Causes: rather obvious from the preceding
facts about science education at high-schools
proxys of science in society
number of researchers per million of inhabitants
PISA ranking
USA: 4666
53 in 65
France: 3496
very bad !
China: 1070
Brazil: 656 ====>>> LOW, BUT: raised
however:
from 400 to 656
one of the fastest
in five years
improving country
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 12

28. Science Illiteracy Brazilian specific analysis
São Paulo, Brazil
Economic issues
Low number
of Engineering is
Science and the main
problem
Technology
students
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 13

29. Science Illiteracy Brazilian specific analysis
São Paulo, Brazil
Economic issues
Low number
of Engineering is
Science and the main
problem
Technology
students
tens of thousands of
engineers are needed
in the next years
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 13

30. Science Illiteracy Brazilian specific analysis
São Paulo, Brazil
Economic issues
Low number
of Engineering is
Science and the main
problem
Technology
students
tens of thousands of
engineers are needed
in the next years Education for Science and Technology
is one of the main priorities of the
Ministry of Education.
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 13

31. Science Illiteracy Brazilian specific analysis
São Paulo, Brazil
Economic issues
Program of international
Low number fellowships of 3 billion
Engineering is dollars
of
Science and the main
problem
Technology 13 new universities in
the last 8 years. New
students campi. New programs
tens of thousands of
engineers are needed
in the next years Education for Science and Technology
is one of the main priorities of the
Ministry of Education.
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 13

32. Science Illiteracy Brazilian specific analysis
São Paulo, Brazil
Economic issues
full PhD
employment
Program of international
Low number fellowships of 3 billion
Engineering is dollars
of
Science and the main
problem
Technology 13 new universities in
the last 8 years. New
students campi. New programs
tens of thousands of
engineers are needed
in the next years Education for Science and Technology
is one of the main priorities of the
Ministry of Education.
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011 13

33. Final Comments São Paulo, Brazil
• 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.
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011

34. São Paulo, Brazil
Thank you for your
attention
kraenkel@ift.unesp.br
R. A. Kraenkel - Science in Brazil, Brazil in Science -- IHEST - Gréoux-les-Bains, 2011