Scientific expertise and outcomes often give rise to controversy. An educational response that equips students to take part in such discussions is the teaching of socially acute questions (SAQs). With SAQs, the understanding of uncertainty, risk and how knowledge is developed is central. This study explores the way in which students from different…

In this article, we describe a project on reasoning about socio-scientific issues (SSIs), involving French and Australian pre-service science teachers engaged in on-line discussion and development of a wiki. In the research, we developed frameworks for looking at the quality of reasoning about "socially acute" sustainability questions.…

Examines students' explanations of the greenhouse effect and the hole in the ozone layer, using a life-world and scientific dichotomy. Illuminates ideas often expressed in classrooms and sheds light on the progression in students' developing powers of explanation. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Discussed is a study which triangulates the relationship between the patriarchal system, capitalism, and ecology using ethnomethodology. Relates a feminine idealogical set to general environmental sensibility. (CW)

Environmental education in early childhood education is very effective in shaping positive attitudes toward the environment. Debates whether the school or the community should assume responsibility for environmental education. (DDR)

Seeks to extend the range of critical literacy strategies that environmental educators might use in their engagement with curriculum policies. Focuses on a recent curriculum and professional-development project from Australia. Contains 27 references. (DDR)

Illustrates the ways of achieving a measure of political literacy using the case of the bridge link to North Stradbroke Island. Discusses two topics wherein misconceptions occur, what environments are, and the nature of environmental conflict. Provides five figures and two references. (YP)

Argues that intensive agriculture restricted to suitable lands will be required in the future due to global population growth, declining food prices, and extreme poverty. Discusses the challenge of balancing environmental care with food production. (DDR)

Presents a picture of the curriculum at the Pullenvale Field Study Centre. The curriculum is based on a drama theme called "The Settlers," and relates to Year Five Social Studies. Describes the curriculum in its current form and its development. Also considers the cyclic process, involving planning, action, observation, and reflection.…

Examines how some principles of environmental education have been taken up in environmental strategies and activities in Victoria, Australia. The focus is upon efforts of the government-funded Victorian Environmental Education Council to encourage development of environmental education in sectors and organizations outside the formal education…

Discusses the various ways that environmental education is defined. Emphasizes the influence that environmental education can have on values and behaviors. Describes formal and informal approaches to environmental education, along with some of the problems of programs that exist in both of these realms. (TW)

This document is the proceedings of the 10th annual meeting of the International Organization for Science and Technology Education (IOSTE). Papers include: (1) "Liberal Education, Information Assessment and Argumentation in Science-LIA" (Andreas Quale, Anders Isnes, Terje Kristensen, and Ketil Mathiassen); (2) "Placing the History…

The effectiveness of an education program for tourists who hand-feed wild dolphins at Tangalooma, Moreton Island in eastern Australia was evaluated. Data were gathered on tourist behavior during feeding sessions before and after the education policy was implemented. After implementation of the education program, inappropriate behaviors such as…

This document, which was developed as a resource for adult basic education teachers in Victoria, Australia, contains six units of science activities to help students develop literacy and numeracy skills while learning basic scientific concepts. Presented in the introduction are guidelines for using the material and a table detailing those basic…

The chapters in this book, developed from presentations made at the Annual Conference of the Australian College of Education in Canberra, explore the theme of a sustainable society and the role of education. In the first part, five writers explore the meaning of "sustainable society." Sir Ninian Stephen, Ian Lowe, and Janet Hunt argue…