Laura Monica Gorghiu

Bio: Laura Monica Gorghiu is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Science education & Responsible Research and Innovation. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 90 publications receiving 484 citations.

Teachers' Feedback Expressed in a Training Course Organized in a MOOC Environment

Abstract: The concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) became more and more visible in the last few years and is one of the new pillars in the European Commission policy, in particular within the European Commission’s Science in Society programme, framed within the EU Horizon 2020 initiative. Taking into consideration the presence of this concept into the FP7 Programme priorities, a big number of European projects have been approved and financed by EU, in order to bring closer the research and innovation results to the people. One of those projects is the FP 7 ENGAGE Project (“Equipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science Equipping the Next Generation”, www.engagingscience.eu). The partnership of the project proposed to come with interesting continuous development programmes for teachers, organized through face-to-face workshops or on-line courses, where different interactive-participatory teaching strategies are presented and many examples of applying these strategies are discussed. These examples start from identifying a problematic situation (dilemma) that students may face in their real life and they need to find rational solutions, by using their scientific and socio-moral knowledge. The paper presents our findings based on the analysis of the Romanian teachers’ feedback after they finished the 1st edition of the on-line course “Methods of promoting RRI dimensions in Science Education”, organized by Valahia University Targoviste in 2015. Our analysis was focused on the Science teachers’ replies to an initial and final questionnaire and to the teachers’ reflections collected during the on-line course duration. © 2016 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.uk

Exploring virtual experiments in secondary school sciences lessons

Abstract: Science experiments can be simulated easily using the proper software applications. The simulated experiments provide to pupils / students the opportunity to run experiments many times and at convenient time. On the other hand, the teachers can use the simulations for specific demonstrations during the theoretical lessons. Science experiments can be also presented as educational video-clips. In many Physics and Chemistry courses, real experiments are represented as digital video demonstrations. Taking into consideration the mentioned ideas, this paper emphasizes some results on developing related learning objects that include platform collaboration in two Socrates-Comenius 2.1. European projects: "FISTE - A Future Way for In-Service Teacher Training across Europe" (Project no. 118766-CP-1-2004-1-RO- COMENIUS-C21) and "VccSSe - Virtual Community Collaborating Space for Science Education" (Project no. 128989-CP-1-2006-1-RO-COMENIUS-C21). More, the experiences gained in the Socrates-Comenius 2.1. projects are useful for developing various skills for teaching in the m- Learning era during the Leonardo da Vinci project "MENUET - Mobile E-Novative Use of E-learning Technologies" (Project no. LLP-2008-1-RO1-LEO05-00813).

The Relevance of Continuous Training Programmes Dedicated for Teachers from Pre-University Education

Abstract: The didactic profession has a major social importance. However, its attractiveness decreases drastically, both among potential aspirants to the status of teacher – the students, and among those who practice this profession, whether they are at their debut, whether they have already accumulated enough experience at the chair. In this context, investing in the initial and continuous teachers’ training is essential, if we really want to improve the efficiency and quality of the educational process, to have a high/advanced education system, in which to practice the teachers with vocation, dedicated both to children and school. Regarding to the continuous training of teachers, it is necessary that all those responsible for the process - from the Ministry of the resort to the programme providers - to provide opportunities for the training and development of professional competences in agreement with their own training needs. Our study has the assumption that teachers from pre-university education sometimes demonstrate a low motivation for participation in continuous training programmes, because in many situations there is a hiatus between the curriculum offer of the providers of such programs and their real needs for processing and development of professional competences. For this purpose, we have organized two focus-groups, having as participants teachers for pre-school education and teachers for primary education, in order to identify their opinions on the relevance and effectiveness of continuous training programmes at which they have been participated in recent years.

Romanian Organic and Conventional Red Grapes Vineyards as Potential Sources of High Value-Added Products, in a Circular Economy Approach

Abstract: The use of natural ingredients with active functions has been intensively studied in the last years, as a consequence to consumer preferences for organic products. Application of circular economy principles determined a significant research activity in the viticulture field. The use or re-use of vines parts for so-called nutraceuticals or other consumer-goods applications, are basically centered on their phytochemical and microbiological characterization. Eurostat updates ranks Romania fifth among the EU member states, with a total area under vines of 183,717 hectares. Characterization of four Vitis vinifera L. varieties, out of which one pure Romanian variety (Feteasca Neagra), cultivated in organic and conventional vineyards, together with pedoclimatic conditions have been provided. Data on phytochemical parameters and antimicrobial activity of extracts obtained from different anatomic parts of grapes were included. Analytical protocols and techniques applied were presented, together with data and results interpretation. Several chemometric algorithms have been used as complementary tools for interpretation of the instrumental analytical data.

Biodegradable Polymers- A Review on Recent Trends and Emerging Perspectives

Abstract: Recent trends in biodegradable polymers indicate significant developments in terms of novel design strategies and engineering to provide advanced polymers with comparably good performance. However, there are several inadequacies in terms of either technology or cost of production especially in the case of applications in environmental pollution. So, there is a need to have a fresh perspective on the design, properties and functions of these polymers with a view to developing strategies for future developments. The paper reviews the present state-of-art on biodegradable polymers and discusses the salient features of the design and properties of biodegradable polymers. Special emphasis is given to the problems and prospects of (1) approaches adopted to make non-biodegradable synthetic polymers such as polyethylene biodegradable and (2) biodegradable polymers and copolymers made from renewable resources especially poly(lactic acid) based polymers and copolymers which are emerging as the candidate biodegradable materials for the future.

Current state and future prospects of plastic waste as source of fuel: A review

Abstract: Due to the depleting fossil fuel sources such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal, the present rate of economic growth is unsustainable. Therefore, many sources of renewable energy have been exploited, but the potentials of some other sources such as plastics waste are yet to be fully developed as full scale economic activity. Development and modernization have brought about a huge increase in the production of all kinds of plastic commodities, which directly or indirectly generate waste due to their wide range of applications coupled with their versatility of types and relatively low cost. The current scenario of the plastic recycling technology is reviewed in this paper. The aim is to provide the reader with an in-depth analysis with respect to the pyrolysis of plastic waste as obtained in the current recycling technology. As the calorific value of the plastics is comparable to that of hydrocarbon fuel, production of fuel from plastic waste would provide a good opportunity to utilize the waste as a better alternative to dumpsites. Different techniques of converting plastics waste into fuel including thermal and catalytic pyrolysis, microwave-assisted pyrolysis and fluid catalytic cracking are discussed in detail. The co-pyrolysis of plastics waste with biomass is also highlighted. Thus, an attempt was made to address the problem of plastic waste disposal as a partial replacement of the depleting fossil fuel with the hope of promoting a sustainable environment.

Advances in antioxidant active food packaging

Abstract: Lipid oxidation is, together with microbial growth, the main cause of spoilage of a great variety of foods, such as nuts, fish, meats, whole milk powders, sauces and oils. It causes a loss of both sensorial and nutritional quality of foods and may even lead to the formation of toxic aldehydes. Some strategies that are commonly used to limit the extent of lipid oxidation of packaged foods are direct addition of antioxidants or packaging under modified atmospheres in which oxygen presence is limited. A novel alternative to these methods is antioxidant active packaging, whose main advantage is that it can provide sustained release of antioxidants during storage. This article reviews the latest advances in antioxidant active food packaging, with special emphasis on antioxidant release systems. The various methods for incorporating antioxidant compounds in the package, the issues to be considered in packaging design, and the various methods employed to date to evaluate the antioxidant effectiveness of active antioxidant materials are reviewed.

Biodegradation of Agricultural Plastic Films: A Critical Review

Abstract: The growing use of plastics in agriculture has enabled farmers to increase their crop production. One major drawback of most polymers used in agriculture is the problem with their disposal, following their useful life-time. Non-degradable polymers, being resistive to degradation (depending on the polymer, additives, conditions etc) tend to accumulate as plastic waste, creating a serious problem of plastic waste management. In cases such plastic waste ends-up in landfills or it is buried in soil, questions are raised about their possible effects on the environment, whether they biodegrade at all, and if they do, what is the rate of (bio?)degradation and what effect the products of (bio?)degradation have on the environment, including the effects of the additives used. Possible degradation of agricultural plastic waste should not result in contamination of the soil and pollution of the environment (including aesthetic pollution or problems with the agricultural products safety). Ideally, a degradable polymer should be fully biodegradable leaving no harmful substances in the environment. Most experts and acceptable standards define a fully biodegradable polymer as a polymer that is completely converted by microorganisms to carbon dioxide, water, mineral and biomass, with no negative environmental impact or ecotoxicity. However, part of the ongoing debate concerns the question of what is an acceptable period of time for the biodegradation to occur and how this is measured. Many polymers that are claimed to be ‘biodegradable’ are in fact ‘bioerodable’, ‘hydrobiodegradable’, ‘photodegradable’, controlled degradable or just partially biodegradable. This review paper attempts to delineate the definition of degradability of polymers used in agriculture. Emphasis is placed on the controversial issues regarding biodegradability of some of these polymers.