The Faculty of Teacher Training and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of the University of Valencia hosted the 12th International Conference on Research in Science Education from 2 to 5 September with the theme “Science Education and Critical Thinking: Challenges and Needs of a Democratic Society”.

This scientific meeting, directed by professor José Cantó of the Department of Experimental and Social Science Education of the Faculty of Teacher Training together with professor Fernanda Ostermann from Brazil, brought this internationally renowned scientific event back to the University of Valencia thirty-eight years later. The event was organised by the journal Enseñanza de las Ciencias and the Research Group on Science Education and Science Teacher Training (DIDACIES).

For the first time, the conference was held in a hybrid format: in person (470 participants) and online (134 participants). It is the most important scientific meeting in the field of Experimental Science Education across Latin America and was attended by representatives from Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Portugal, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay, Angola, Ireland, Canada and the United States.

Over the course of the four days, more than 640 scientific papers were presented, twelve working seminars were held, eight round tables took place (two online and six in person) and four plenary lectures were given (one online and three in person). In addition, participants took part in educational visits to the Science Museum, the Botanical Garden, the fruit and vegetable plantations of Valencia and the Albufera.

•