STS Science Education

Frank JenkinsUniversity of AlbertaEdmonton AB

http://www.CMASTE.ca

Agenda--STS Curr. Emphases

•STS Science Education•Nature of science emphasis•Technology emphasis•STS-issues emphasis•Communication emphasis

Advantages of STS Concept

Science

Technology

Society

K S A

STS is more than just pure science knowledge.

Types of STS Programs

• SISCON (UK)--liberal arts science• SaTiS--STS modules• LoRST--integrating science into context

• ChemCom--start with STS issue• ALCHEM (‘70s)--technology contexts• STSC Chem (‘80s)--society contexts• Nelson Chem (‘90s)--epist. contexts

A Science Curriculum Emphasis

•Scientific knowledge•Scientific process skills•Scientific attitudes

(predispositions to act)•Scientific problem solving•Nature of science

Nature of Science Umbrella

Problem Solving

Processes

Skills

N ature of Science

Scientific Problem Solving (labs)

• Illustrative (concrete model)• Exploratory (a learning

cycle)• Inductive (Francis Bacon)

concept building• Deductive (Karl Popper)

concept testing• Sociological (Thomas Kuhn)

Problem Solving Processes

•Purpose•Problem•Prediction•Exp. Design•Materials•Procedure

•Evidence•Analysis•Evaluation•Synthesis

Scientific Attitudes (Nay and Kozlow)

• Critical-mindedness• Suspended judgment• Respect for evidence• Honesty• Objectivity• Willingness to change• Open-mindedness• Questioning attitudes

A Technology Emphasis

• Technological knowledge• Technological skills• Technological problem solving/design• Technological attitudes• Technology in science• Technology in society• Nature of technology

Technological Knowledge/Skills

Tech Knowledge• Products

baking soda• Processes

Solvay process

Tech Skills• Operational

lab burner

multimetercomputer

• Processestitrationfiltrationcrystallization

Tech Problem Solving/Attitudes

Technological Problem Solving

• Understanding the problem

• Developing the plan

• Carrying out the plan

• Evaluating

Tech Attitudes• Perseverance• Confidence• Critical mindedness• Creative disposition• Apprec. alternative

perspectives

Technology in Science & Society

Tech in Science• Parallel symbiotic

paths• Technology leads

science• Technology enables

science• Science is applied

to describe/explain technology

Tech in Society• Affects health• Affects material

lives (lifestyle)• Affects intellectual

lives (publishing)• “Tech fixes”• Efficiency cult

Tech Sci

Nature of Technology

Evaluation Criteria

• economical• efficient• reliable• simple

It works!

Societal Curriculum Emphasis

• Societal knowledge• Societal skills• Societal attitudes• Societal decision making• Society and science• Society and technology• Nature of society

Societal Attitudes (predispositions to act)

• Tolerance• Commitment to

understanding• Respect for

alternative views• Confidence in

thoughtful decision making

• Vigilance in persuing thoughtful decisions

• Appreciation and respect for thoughtful decisions

• Commitment to understanding the roles and limitations of science and technology

Perspectives on an STS Issue•Scientific•Technological•Ecological•Economic•Political

•Legal•Ethical•Social•Militaristic•Aesthetic•Mystical•EmotionalSTEEPLES STEEPLES

MAMEMAME

Decision Making Processes

• Identify and focus on the issue

• Formulate research questions

• Gather and organize evidence

• Analyze and evaluate evidence

• Resolve the issue• Apply the decision• Evaluate the

decision, the process and the action

Levels of Use for Perspectives

• Classify given perspective-statements

• Find +/- perspective statements and tally the number of each perspective

• Place personal value on statements• Make personal decision and state the

criteria used to make the decision• Participate in debate or townhouse

Advantage of STS Concept

Science

Technology

Society

K S A

Science in Society “Problems-1”

• Differentiating science and technology Fleming 1987

• Funding for scientific researchPolanyi 1988

• 50% of scientists employed by military Suzuki 1989

• Infighting for research moneySavan 1988

Science in Society “Problems-2”

• Breaches in scientific ethicsSavan 1988

• Courts misunderstanding of certaintyAikenhead 1985

• Public and private versions of scienceHolten 1978, Polanyi 1958

• Affect of powerful vested interestsRavetz 1971

• Affect of cultural values Gaskell 1982