IBSE Final

Chapter 8 a Perspective on the Reform of Science Teaching

tHE tEACHING OF SCIENCE: 21 st-CENTURY PERSPECTIVES 151

Table 8.3

Contexts for the Science Curriculum

Context Personal Social Global

Careers Scientific research,

engineering,

technical, and

teaching

Scientific research,

medicine,

engineering,

information and

communication

technology

World health,

economic progress,

security

Health Maintenance of

health, accident

prevention, nutrition

Control of disease

and social

transmission,

nutrition, food

choices, community

health

Epidemics and

spread of infectious

diseases

Resources Control of personal

consumption of

materials and energy

Maintenance of

human populations,

quality of life,

security, production

and distribution of

food, energy supply

Renewable and

nonrenewable

energy, natural

systems, population

growth, sustainable

use of species

Environment Research on

environmentally

friendly behavior,

use and disposal of

materials

Research on

population

distribution,

disposal of waste,

environmental

impact, local weather

Biodiversity,

ecological

sustainability,

control of pollution,

production and loss

of soil

Hazards Natural and human-

induced hazards,

decisions about

housing

Rapid changes

(earthquakes, severe

weather), slow and

progressive changes

(coastal erosion,

sedimentation), risk

assessment

Climate change,

impact of modern

warfare

Research and

Development

Interest in science

and technology,

science-based

hobbies, sport and

leisure activities,

use of personal

technology

Aerospace

engineering,

biotechnology,

information and

communications

technology,

pharmaceuticals

Exploration of space,

transportation,

agriculture,

applications to

resolve global

problems

The professional development programs should provide enough initial time

to establish a clear foundation for teaching and learning. In addition to an early

concentration, the program should extend over a year (or more) and include

continuous work on selecting curriculum materials and improving instruction. The

educational context for the professional development programs should include

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