6. Conclusions
The predominant findings from this study indicate that science teaching in Abu Dhabi’s schools possibly faces a number of challenges. Many of the identified issues could be addressed by targeted, well publicized professional development which focuses on both teaching science content and on how to integrate science throughout the curriculum. A centralized online
database of science teaching resources, including events and excursion locations, could also be an easily implemented tool for Abu Dhabi’s teachers to use. Private school teachers did express a significantly higher level of enjoyment of teaching science. Previous research has found that enjoyment increases the desire to engage with science, which facilitates an improved understanding of scientific concepts which in turn should translate into successful science teaching experiences with students (Palmer, 2006; Schoon & Boone, 1998; Watters & Ginns, 2000). Whether or not this means that private schoolteachers are more motivated to teach science well and inspire students to achieve better has yet to be explored.