Epistemic Uncertainty, Possible Futures and Science Education

• Grant number: 25/11755-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: November 12, 2025
• End date: December 16, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Education
• Principal Investigator: Mauricio Pietrocola Pinto de Oliveira
• Grantee: Mauricio Pietrocola Pinto de Oliveira
• Visiting researcher: Olivia Levrini
• Visiting researcher institution: Università di Bologna , Italy
• Host Institution: Instituto de Estudos Avançados (IEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated research grant: 22/06977-5 - Implementation Research of Curriculum Innovation, Pedagogical Strategies, and Emerging Technologies for Quality-Equity in Basic Education, AP.TEM

Abstract

Activity Plan - Epistemic Uncertainty, Possible Futures and Science Education1. International Seminar (opening)Provisional title: Scientific Education in Times of Climate Crisis and Epistemic UncertaintyObjective: To present to the Brazilian academic public the theoretical axes that underpin their current research.Target audience: university community, primary and secondary school teachers, postgraduate students.2. PIEC course: 'Epistemic Uncertainty, Possible Futures and Science Education'Format: In-person course with hybrid and synchronous activities.Duration: 5 sessions (4 hours each)Content: Discussion of uncertainty in science, teaching of socio-scientific topics, and innovative pedagogical practices.Co-teaching: Prof. Dr. Maurício Pietrocola, with the participation of PIEC members.3. Development of a Joint Research Project: CLIMAFOCUS-BRObjective: Adapt the structure of the European CLIMAFOCUS project to the Brazilian context.Activities: Development of a methodological structure, definition of partners, feasibility analysis, and planning for future submission to an international call for proposals.4. Guidance and Interaction with Postgraduate StudentsIndividual and group meetings with master's and doctoral students from PIEC and related programmes.Focus: theoretical and methodological support on the topics of modelling, socio-scientific controversies and the climate crisis.5. Negotiation of a Double Degree Agreement (UNIBO-PEC/USP)Institutional coordination activity with support from international advisors.Objective: to initiate procedures for establishing a cotutela or double degree agreement.6. Workshop at the ECCo Meeting (25 to 29 November 2025)Workshop focusing on Climate Education, Futures Thinking and Epistemic Complexity.Participation: students, researchers and teachers from the ECCo network. (AU)