The goal of scientific literacy has led to a steady increase in argument-based interventions in science education contexts. It has been suggested that student participation in argument develops communication skills, metacognitive awareness, critical thinking, an understanding of the culture and practice of science, and scientific literacy.…

The ability to think critically is essential if individuals are to live, work, and function effectively in a current and changing society. As adults, students will be living in a complex world and in a democracy where both individual and collective actions will require effective selection, processing, and use of information. National, state…

Assesses students' existing and developing decision-making ability against the background of a normative model of the decision making process. Results indicate that after a unit on household packaging waste the students' arguments about a decision making situation improved in terms of validity and clarity of the criteria used. Contains 16…

The current trend to include the relationships of science and technology to human societies in the social studies curriculum is the focus of this ERIC Digest. The Digest discusses: (1) major themes in education on science/technology/society (STS); (2) the rationale for emphasizing STS in the social studies; and (3) how to include STS in the…

Discusses two approaches to preparing students to deal with science-related social issues. Describes the investigative skill approach that allows students to critically examine important issues. Offers information concerning the case study approach that involves a teacher directed investigation. Notes that the investigative skills approach is more…

Discusses people's need for facility in calculating and using mathematical techniques to participate in the understanding and transformation of their society. Topics discussed include the relationship between democracy and education; democratic competence; democracy in a technological society; the role of mathematics in society; and reflective…

Explains the need for scientific and technological literacy, the role of supplementary teaching materials specifically created for this purpose, and the successes and difficulties in creating teaching materials in a workshop. Concludes that science teaching today is not designed to promote literacy and does not assist students in becoming the…

Lack of student use of critical thinking operations can lead to faulty argumentation in discussing societal issues. Presents 12 common fallacies in student argumentation and discusses their implications for science education. (Contains 51 references.) (MDH)

Discusses the content of and rationale behind the steady expansion of natural science instruction during the past 20 years at all school levels, in all types of schools in West Germany. Follows the content versus process orientation debates that have characterized curriculum reform in the natural sciences. (DB)

Explores conclusions from a series of seminars and open meetings to review the future of science education. Addresses successes and failures of science education, science-education needs of students for lifelong learning in the next century, possible form and structure of a suitable model for a science curriculum, and problems with implementation…

This publication is the culmination of the efforts of many teachers involved in a 1- to 3-year Arizona Science, Technology, and Society (STS) project. It contains 34 lesson plans or units of study these teachers modified or created to integrate STS topics, issues, and problems. The major thrust of the activities and units of study cited is to help…

A multidisciplinary educational unit featuring product safety decisions made by businesses and consumers is presented. teach critical thinking and decision making while supplementing the science, home economics, social studies, and economics curricula. The activities rely extensively, though not exclusively, on Procter & Gamble's experiences…

Eight examples of innovative and outstanding energy education programs are described. These programs were selected using state criteria and at least four independent reviewers. While Project Synthesis offered a desired state, these examples of excellence provided views of what is already a reality. The goals of an exemplary science program are…

This document describes 10 examples of innovative and outstanding science/technology/society (STS) programs. These programs were selected using state criteria and at least four independent reviewers. While Project Synthesis offered a desired state, these examples of excellence provided views of what is already a reality. The goals of an exemplary…