On love, becomings, and true generosity for science education: honoring Paulo Freire

Abstract

In this editorial article, we draw on our experiences to create an opening for critical reflection in honor of Paulo Freire's centenary. We start by addressing the need to overcome the productivity logic of the Academy and instead prioritize thinking and being in communion with others. We orient toward Freirean critical hope as an impetus to move beyond the limits of commodified time and engage in the process of collective becoming. We share our struggles and tensions through stories of Freirean becomings, reflecting on those "limited situations" in which our critical hope acted as catalysts for us to embrace our unfinishedness. We draw from our collective experiences and becomings to think more deeply about “the heart” of science education. We believe a heart-centered science education is one that forges solidarity with human and more-than-human others, and exploits pockets of resistance in the name of more socially and ecologically just present futures.