From 'Science in the Making' to Understanding the Nature of Science

An Overview for Science Educators

Mansoor Niaz

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9780415807586
• eBook ISBN: 9781136508653
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education General

The Nature of Science is highly topical among science teacher educators and researchers. Increasingly, it is a mandated topic in state curriculum documents. This book draws together recent research on Nature of Science studies within a historical and philosophical framework suitable for students and teacher educators. Traditional science curricula and textbooks present science as a finished product. Taking a different approach, this book provides a glimpse of "science in the making" — scientific practice imbued with arguments, controversies, and competition among rival theories and explanations. Teaching about "science in the making" is a rich source of motivating students to engage creatively with the science curriculum.Readers are introduced to "science in the making" through discussion and analysis of a wide range of historical episodes from the early 19th century to early 21st century. Recent cutting-edge research is presented to provide insight into the dynamics of scientific progress. More than 90 studies from major science education journals, related to nature of science are reviewed. A theoretical framework, field tested with in-service science teachers, is developed for moving from 'science in the making' to understanding the Nature of Science.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table Of Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• 1 Introduction
• 2 ‘Science in the Making’ and Heuristic Principles in a Historical Context
• 3 Students′ and Teachers′ Understanding of the Nature of Science
• 4 How to Introduce the Nature of Science in the Classroom
• 5 The Role of Heuristic Principles in Understanding the Nature of Science
• 6 How the Views of Leon Cooper (Nobel Laureate) can Influence In-Service Teachers′ Understanding of the Nature of Science
• 7 Martin Perl′s (Nobel Laureate) Perspective on the Nature of Science and Teaching Science
• 8 Conclusion: From ‘Science in the Making’ to Understanding the Nature of Science
• References
• Index