Acculturation: Definition and Context
The study of acculturation is the study of one aspect of culture change. The two processes are related but are not identical. In itself, “acculturation comprehends those phenomena which result when groups of individuals having different cultures come into continuous first-hand contact with subsequent changes in the original culture patterns of either or both groups.” 1 To put the matter more succinctly, “Acculturation is the study of the cultural transmission process.” 2
Some Remarks on Selective Migration
The sizable overseas emigration from the Netherlands since the end of the Second World War 1 and the general expectation that emigration will continue to be important during the immediate future have renewed this country’s interest in the question of whether or not such a migration is selective. What is meant is not primarily selection by age, sex, and so forth, but rather the possible selection by the personal qualities of the individuals in the population, the mental attributes based at least partly on hereditary predisposition. During the past few years, this old problem has been animatedly discussed in many newspaper and magazine articles in the Netherlands, and more often than not the question has been answered affirmatively: as convinced as the Dutch people are that a large part of the natural increase in the Netherlands must be counterbalanced by emigration, they are usually just as convinced that this emigration results in a qualitative loss to the country.
Science fairs as learning tool for teaching excellence
Science fairs are usually considered to be a pedagogical and cultural activity that involves the students actively. Gifted students need challenges to further develop their skills while maintaining the motivation level. Science fairs may provide the informal environment that will request and allow these students of excellence to challenge themselves by developing a scientific research project. Despite being well known in different countries, in Portugal first steps are being made on the use and implementation of science fairs as effective pedagogical tool. In this work, we will present a 4 years study that was developed on a Portuguese school with the main goal of evaluating the advantages of this informal way of teaching. The study includes an analysis of the evolution of the students’ knowledge that have participated, or visited, the different science fairs. Some advices for the implementation of these projects will be given. The motivation of the students was monitored as well as the knowledge and skills effectively improved by this activity.