Complexity in Science Education
Welcome to the Bielik research group in the Institute for Science Education at Radboud University, where we focus on supporting teachers and students in making sense of complex phenomena by developing their systems thinking skills, modeling competence, and critical thinking.
Research Themes
Modeling Competence
Building and using scientific models stands at the heart of science education. Computational modeling tools, such as SageModeler, can support students in developing this competence.
Systems Thinking
Systems thinking is an effective approach for making sense of phenomena and solving problems. It allows students to identify, use, and reflect upon system characteristics while considering different perspectives.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is a core 21st-century skill. Among other skills, students are expected to evaluate scientific information and make decisions. Critical thinking frameworks, such as Epistemic Vigilance, can support students in this challenge.
Recent Publications
Third-Hand Evaluation of Science-Related Information
Bielik T., & Krell M. (2025)
International Journal of Science Education
Student Engagement in Constructing Computational Models in K-12 Science Education: A Systematic Review (2025)
Langenheim E., & Bielik T. (2025)
Studies in Science Education
Investigating pre-service science teachers’ metaknowledge about the modelling process and its relation to metaknowledge about models
Engelschalt P., Bielik T., Krell M., Upmeier zu Belzen A., & Krüger D. (2024)
International Journal of Science Education
Projects
Modeller: Cross-Curricular Modeling Competence in Lower Secondary Education
NKO grand project (NWO Education for the Future initiative)
2026-2030
Empower: Empowering Teachers for Science Learning Through Modelling-Based Approaches
Erasmus+ Cooperation partnerships in school education
2025-2028
Investigating the Dimensions of the modeling competence
DFG German Research Foundation
2022-2026
Group Members
Tom Bielik
Principle Investigator
Tom Bielik is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Science Education at Radboud University.His research focuses on supporting the development of teachers’ and students’ systems thinking, modeling competence, and critical thinking by engaging with model-based inquiry learning, project-based learning, and digital modeling tools such as SageModeler. Bielik received his B.Sc. from the Department of Agriculture at the Hebrew University in Israel and his M.Sc. from the Department of Cell Research and Immunology at Tel Aviv University in Israel. His PhD thesis was achieved at the Department of Science Teaching at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, where he also received a teaching certificate in high-school biology. He was also a post-doctoral research associate at CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University, Michigan, USA and at the Biology Didactics Department at Freie University in Berlin, Germany.
Kim Lobner
Ph.D. Student
IPN-Kiel
Germany
Ofra Ifrah
Ph.D. Student
Ben Gurion University
Israel
Pien Lohuis
M.Sc. Student
Radboud University
The Netherlands
Hayal Cantürk
M.Sc. Student
Radboud University
The Netherlands