The current consideration of technology as "applied science", this is to say, as something that comes "after" science, justifies the lack of attention paid to technology in science education. In our paper we question this simplistic view of the science-technology relationship, historically rooted in the unequal appreciation of intellectual and…

Suggests that an understanding of the historical roots of scientific literacy can help contemporary science educators better address current and future controversies. Shows that modern controversies about this goal actually revolve around much older and more general debates about the broader importance of science in society, science in education,…

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…

Addresses the issue of what the curriculum might look like if the promotion of public understanding of science was taken as its primary aim. Discusses understanding science content, methods of science, and science as a social enterprise. (JRH)

Acknowledges that the term "education for the environment" has generated powerful images and proposes that the term has become a slogan. Identifies anomalies and inconsistencies associated with the use of the term. Contains 41 references. (DDR)

Discusses the need for a higher level of scientific literacy in Britain and the role of science teachers in helping achieve this. Discusses a report on science and society sponsored by the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. (Author/MM)

Although science is very successful at its business of explaining phenomena, it is not successful at explaining the nature of its own phenomenon: scientific inquiry. Absent understanding, myths, and misconceptions rush in. The author takes a closer look at the process of scientific inquiry, and presents a review of how scientists describe what…

Understanding the nature of science is even more important than mastering its details, says Alan Leshner, Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in an interview with Educational Leadership. In this article, Leshner discusses the controversy about teaching evolution, and he asserts that demands to…

This paper explores the nature and structure of scientific models by taking the position that representations are not models themselves. Representations of models are essential tools for communicating and conversing about the scientific models underlying them. A scientific model is considered to be a set of ideas that describe a natural process. A…

Discusses the ethical implications of research and the need for educating people to evaluate the impact of any research project. Describes a course at the University of Arizona which aims to ensure that students become knowledgeable and conversant about the many ethical, social, and legal dilemmas raised by current research in biology. Contains 16…

Describes characteristics that may assist prospective elementary teachers in developing effective, inclusive science instruction; link them to requirements for teaching; and suggest how science teacher educators might draw on the strengths of their own students to support teaching practices aimed at universal scientific literacy. Findings describe…

Features acid tests for determining whether jewelry is "real" gold or simply gold-plated. Describes the carat system of denoting gold content and explains how alloys are used to create various shades of gold jewelry. Addresses the question of whether gold jewelry can turn a wearer's skin green by considering various oxidation reactions.…

In the process of selecting which science facts should be learned, the events that are selected become imbued with significance and their implicit messages with value. Contends that what is included and what is left out of science stories says much abut meaning-making at all levels of school science, and has implications for the way science is…

Biochemists and life scientists in general are now encountering a paradox regarding the public image of their work; society demands and encourages pursuit of more knowledge but at the same time is suspicious and fears the novelties it brings. At this historical moment, we are experiencing a delicate balance between the birth of a new era and a…