Science Teaching: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Science Teaching: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Science instruction can take on many forms. From the lecture hall, to the laboratory there are a variety of ways science can be taught. This essay explores the historical events and changes that have effected science education and made it what it is today and where it may be heading in the future. (Martin, 2009) Science education was created to share scientific data and events with students who are not part of the scientific community but benefit from scientific understanding. It is a way to make students scientifically literate about general concepts that pertain to scientific discovery. Elementary science education usually includes the subject areas of physical, life, earth, and space sciences. (Martin, 2009) The early days of science education began in the United Kingdom near the end of the 19th Century. Decades later the push for science education reached the United States. In the US science was taught in a somewhat disorganized manner until it was standardized in 1890. Following standardization, science curriculum slowly evolved without a great deal of mainstream excitement and focus until the 1950’s with the dawn of the space age. After the Soviet Union’s Sputnik program successfully launched several objects into space the United States became painfully aware that they were behind in science technology. From this point on in true American fashion the desire to compete on the world stage became the driving force for scientific discovery, specifically a race into space. This awareness that the United States had some catching up to do in order to rival the advances of other countries inspired support for higher quality science programs in classrooms across America in hopes that a crop of science- minded students would emerge. (Martin, 2009) With the new focus on science education came billions of dollars to fund it. Educators were given the materials to teach ever-changing scientific concepts as well as
Science instruction can take on many forms. From the lecture hall, to the laboratory there are a variety of ways science can be taught. This essay explores the historical events and changes that have effected science education and made it what it is today and where it may be heading in the future. (Martin, 2009) Science education was created to share scientific data and events with students who are not part of the scientific community but benefit from scientific understanding. It is a way to make students scientifically literate about general concepts that pertain to scientific discovery. Elementary science education usually includes the subject areas of physical, life, earth, and space sciences. (Martin, 2009) The early days of science education began in the United Kingdom near the end of the 19th Century. Decades later the push for science education reached the United States. In the US science was taught in a somewhat disorganized manner until it was standardized in 1890. Following standardization, science curriculum slowly evolved without a great deal of mainstream excitement and focus until the 1950’s with the dawn of the space age. After the Soviet Union’s Sputnik program successfully launched several objects into space the United States became painfully aware that they were behind in science technology. From this point on in true American fashion the desire to compete on the world stage became the driving force for scientific discovery, specifically a race into space. This awareness that the United States had some catching up to do in order to rival the advances of other countries inspired support for higher quality science programs in classrooms across America in hopes that a crop of science- minded students would emerge. (Martin, 2009) With the new focus on science education came billions of dollars to fund it. Educators were given the materials to teach ever-changing scientific concepts as well as
References: Martin, D. J. (2009). Elementary science methods: A constructivist approach (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. National Academies Press. (1996). National science education standards: An overview. http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=4962&page=1