ISSN:
1573-1839
Keywords:
Pendulum
;
isochronism
;
longitude
;
scientific literacy
;
history of science
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Natural Sciences in General
,
Technology
Notes:
Abstract This article is based on my recent book Time for Science Education (Plenum Publishers, 1998). It begins with the treatment afforded the pendulum in the US National Science Education Standards, and a number of other contemporary curriculum documents. It notes that all of these documents advocate liberal, or wide, goals for science education, including students understanding something of the historical and cultural significance of science. It notes that all the documents ignore the very significant role played by the pendulum in the foundation of modern science, in solving the longitude problem, and in enabling the first accurate clocks to be constructed. There are thus lost opportunities for realising the laudable goals that the Standards set for US science education. Finally, it is claimed that realising these cultural goals for science education requires that the history and philosophy of science be more routinely incorporated into preservice and inservice courses for science teachers.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1021888323042
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