The 21^st Symposium on Chemistry and Science Education continued the long tradition begun in 1981 with the first symposium on chemical education organized by Hans-Jürgen Schmidt. After the previous symposium in Bremen in 2010, the 2012 symposium returned to the TU Dortmund . The 2012 symposium was titled “Issues of Heterogeneity and Cultural Diversity in Science Education and Science Education Research”.

Heterogeneity and cultural diversity are becoming increasingly important challenges for educational systems all over the world. Growing rates of migration and higher numbers of multi-cultural societies mean that educators must achieve a broader spectrum of competencies among their young people. Science and chemistry teaching are not untouched by these developments, which challenge the practices and methodologies of science and chemistry teaching. They also demand answers from science education research in the areas of understanding potential problems and providing impulses towards more effective practices. The symposium contributed the respective discussion and provided insights in potential answers.