Certain science-related topics elicit persistent public controversy, such as routine childhood vaccinations and anthropogenic climate change. Many people are misinformed about the scientific facts underlying these issues. In response, science educators have called for improvements in the public's science literacy, but it is not clear which…

The Internet is a convenient source of information about science-based topics (e.g., health matters). Whereas experts are familiar with the conventions of "true" scientific discourse and the assessment of scientific information, laypeople may have great difficulty choosing among, evaluating, and deciding on the vast amount of information…

Investigates the relationship between a science-technology-society (STS) approach, scientific literacy (SL), and achievement in biology. Uses two instruments for data collection, an achievement test on reproduction and family planning and an SL scale. Concludes that the STS approach might be affecting other variables in the science classroom that…

Considers what level of understanding of the nature of science students should experience to become both intelligent consumers of scientific information and effective citizens. Proposes that most precollege teachers should attempt to teach students how to use scientific descriptors to judge the relative merits of knowledge claims instead of…

Explores the potential suitability of the press as a teaching resource for raising scientific literacy for citizenship within science education. Reports that the press is potentially a useful tool for teaching certain aspects of science and technology. (Contains 71 references.) (Author/YDS)

Traces the practice of relating academic science with the life world of the student to the 1600s. Focuses on identifying elements of a curriculum framework and cognitive strategies that seek to prepare students to be productive citizens in the world. Contains 37 references. (DDR)

Reviews the published literature in English on scientific literacy. Discusses the history and various factors that influence interpretations of the concept. (Contains 106 references.) (Author/WRM)

Describes an empirical qualitative analysis of some of the traditional practices and beliefs with respect to health regimens and marine-related activities that operate in the daily lives of people in a village in Trinidad and Tobago. Contains 28 references. (DDR)

Teaching science is justified by linking scientific ways of thinking with the advancement of democratic society. Claims that science education must reflect the ways in which the theories and practices of science are constrained by the real world. Presents three goals of science education that can help defend it from antiscientific criticisms.…

This is the second article of a four part series of a study of Canadian high-school graduates' views on science-technology-society topics. It reports student perceptions of the interaction of science technology and society. Science and technology were viewed as a unified enterprise and their roles were indistinguishable. (ML)

Science policy studies and the social studies of science are two ways to approach science-technology-society (STS) education. This paper applies the two perspectives to STS education and explores the implications of the two approaches for the domain of STS education and the relationship to science education. (YP)

This study reports the preferences students expressed in regard to problem-solving modes for resolving environmental problems. There were many differences between students at different grades and between girls and boys. Implications for teaching are suggested. (YP)

Explores the use of narrative as a vehicle for sharing, communicating, and understanding personal experience. Argues that the narrative is a useful form of expression that is too often neglected in science education. Through stories students may begin to more successfully see the subtle dimensions of science and understand the ways in which…

Reports on a study to test the validity of the assumption that a teacher's conception of the nature of science directly influences his/her classroom behavior. Recommends a redirection in science education to promote more adequate conceptions of the nature of science in secondary schools. (TW)

Described are lay-ideas which may exist about ionizing radiation, the importance of these ideas for risk management, and the relationships between various lay-ideas. Lay-ideas were used to gain a better insight into the problems of learning about ionizing radiation and to construct appropriate teaching materials and strategies. (KR)