Socio-scientific decision-making necessitates reasoning from multiple perspectives and the use of trade-offs. This study examines how students decide on socio-scientific issues when they engage in an instructional intervention to enhance their socio-scientific decision-making towards consensus building that, in this study, emphasises generating…

Discusses the important concepts involved in problem solving. Presents a chain representation of problem solving and gives an example of the application of this method. Provides a strategy for teaching controversial issues in a science classroom and gives an example of the implementation of the strategy. (CW)

Discusses areas related to teaching science-related, value-laden, real-world problems. These include potential/limitations of science and scientific method, how science-based information fits in with other kinds of information, how preconceptions about problems/issues affect scientific problem solving, and utilization of different educational…

Structured Controversy, an instructional technique based on cooperative group learning, stimulates student involvement in issues concerning technology and society. The technique involves selecting a discussion topic; preparing instructional materials; preparing students for the discussion; the structured controversy itself; and wrap-up and…

Described is Creative Problem Solving (CPS), a model which may be employed to help integrate higher-order thinking skills into elementary science instruction. An example of the use of this model is presented. (CW)

Developed to help teachers and students deal with some of the current issues in science and technology, this book outlines a system for studying socioscientific problems that can be developed in class and then be applied in a life setting. Issues related to the biological sciences, physical sciences, and science as a social institution are…

Gives the background history and chemistry of modern day chemical warfare from World War I to the present. Provides discussion questions to stimulate deeper thinking on the issue. Contains a discussion activity called "Can New Chemical Weapons Lead to Humane Warfare?" (CW)

Provided are examples of science/society scenarios for biology, chemistry, and physics classes, as well as those of an interdisciplinary nature. These scenarios present some social or ethical problems related to the discipline and pose questions for student discussions. (Includes description of a project involved in developing/piloting such…

Indicates that books with realistic views of both war and peace are still rare. Claims children cannot escape the subject of nuclear war so they deserve books that will confront their fears honestly and present reasonable solutions. (RT)

Describes how nuclear education has evolved into nuclear age education in an attempt to prepare young people to respond responsibly to world problems. Explains how positive and preventive emphases toward social issues have helped the growing acceptance of nuclear age and peace education. Discusses some remaining problems. (RT)

Reports on a study that focused on the psychological impact of nuclear education curriculum on middle school students. Concluded that instruction about nuclear issues rarely increases students' fear or worry about nuclear war. (RT)

This document describes an elementary teacher education program (TEP) for training elementary school teachers to include the environment in the content and methods of the early years of education. The major focus of this document is to infuse environmental content and methods in existing or planned courses of instruction in the TEP. The topics in…

One of a set of high school curricula on nuclear issues, this 10-day science unit helps students understand the interrelationship between the economy, the arms race, military spending, and the threat of nuclear war. Through activities such as role playing, discussion, brainstorming, and problem solving, students develop their ability to evaluate…

This guide is written for Saskatchewan science teachers (particularly grades 7-12) who wish to know more about features of the proposed new science curricula for Saskatchewan. The purpose is to clarify the expanding repertoire of science teaching strategies which a teacher will develop as he or she implements one of the new science courses in…