This study reports the effects of an innovative introductory microbiology course for undergraduates that used a socioscientific issues (SSI)-based curriculum. The study illustrates how an SSI-based intervention provides learners with pragmatic opportunities for cultivating their scientific literacy subsuming the nature of science (NOS). Empirical…

We describe the modifications to an instrumental analysis course which incorporated the link between science and public policy. This course combines classroom lectures, project based labs, and a writing assignment. The project based labs have a focus on health and environmental issues directly involving the local community, while the writing…

Science centres and other informal learning environments are increasingly becoming venues in which socioscientific issues are presented, sometimes with the aim of influencing attitudes and behaviour. This study investigated the effects of an HIV AIDS science theatre presentation on the behavioural intentions of 697 South African students, a…

Background: The term teacher efficacy is defined as teachers' belief in their ability to significantly affect their pupils' learning. Studies in the physical education (PE) domain seeking sources of teaching efficacy reported on the links among external environmental factors, content knowledge, and "learners" active engagement in…

To what extent can young people analyze the pros and cons of a proposal to develop a new source of energy? Construct and test a model or prototype? Use the Internet to find and summarize data and information in order to solve a problem or achieve a goal? The exploding growth in the world of technology and the need to answer questions similar to…

Experts in science communication were asked to identify the essential elements of a science communication course for post-graduate students. A Delphi methodology provided a framework for a research design that accessed their opinions and allowed them to contribute to, reflect on and identify 10 essential elements. There was a high level of…

This paper reports on the development of an instrument which was used to gather information on the views of science students on the social responsibility of scientists. The methodology is based on a "Views on Science-Technology-Society (VOSTS)" instrument which was developed in Canada. It involves three phases, employing interviews and…

Prior to this research little was known about the ways in which people draw upon their science backgrounds. An earlier CSHE [Centre for the Study of Higher Education] study for the ACDS [Australian Council of Deans of Science] examined employment outcomes and confirmed that many science graduates pursue careers outside scientific research. There…

A recent statewide survey shows that regardless of location, income, education, or gender, Arizonans are convinced that science and technology will deliver on high-paying jobs, personal benefits, and solutions to environmental and social problems. The March 2006 responses to a statewide representative telephone survey show that a majority of…

Presents the historical context of Diderot and how he systematized and represented mechanical arts in two dimensions in order to demonstrate how the development and packaging of technology has influenced today's delivery systems. Addresses four issues: conceptual framework, systematic analysis and description, theory and practice, and technology…

The purpose of the study was to discern the beliefs of pre-service science teachers (PST) concerning science technology and their implications in society. A quasi-experimental design was used. The results indicate that students who experienced Science Technology and Society (STS) approach perform better than students enrolled in section where…

This document presents the development of an instrument designed to assess student attitudes toward science and technology, and their understanding of certain social issues surrounding science and technology. The document contains two parts. Part 1, the Description of the Project, includes the following sections: (1) "The Project in…

Describes the development of an "attitude to industry" scale assessing the attitudes of students undertaking "A" level science studies with varying amounts of industrial material in their syllabuses. Provides the interview schedule, factor loadings, reliability coefficients for three sub-scales, and statements of final scale.…

Severe weather is an element of nature that cannot be controlled. Therefore, it is important that the general public be aware of severe weather and know how to react quickly and appropriately in a weather emergency. This study, done in the community surrounding the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, was conducted to compile and analyze…

Described is an instrument for assessing science/technology/society (STS) literacy developed for a STS course. The interactive character of key science concepts used by various scientists, engineers, humanists, and social scientists lecturing in the course is emphasized. A copy of the exam and an STS literacy dictionary are included. (KR)