Skip to main content
Log in

Against a Negative Image of Science: History of Science and the Teaching of Physics and Chemistry

  • Published:
Science & Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

After a first approach to analyze which is today's status of the history ofscience in high school Physics and Chemistry classes, we attempt to demonstrate that an appropriateintroduction of several aspects of History and Sociology of Science in our classes can operate asignificant improvement in pupils' image and attitudes in science and science teaching. We will show thatseveral groups of pupils from 15 to 17 can improve significantly their interest in science after at least a yearworking with papers containing many different activities that involve several historical aspects of science, like contextbiographies, original papers, reports on STS in history or videos showing the making and growth of major conceptsin P & C.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aikenhead, G.S.: 1988, 'An Analysis of FourWays of Assessing Student Beliefs about STS Topics', Journal of Research in Science Teaching 25(8), 607-629.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calatayud, M.L. et al.: 1995-1998, Proyecto Galaxia: Física y Química, Octaedro, Barcelona.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chalmers, A.: 1990, Science and its Fabrication, Open University Press, Milton Keynes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conant, J.B. (ed.): 1957, Harvard Case Histories in Experimental Science, 2 vols., Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gil, D., Carrascosa, J., Furió , C. & Martínez, J.: 1991, La Enseñ anza de las Ciencias en la Educació n Secundaria, ICE-Horsori, Barcelona.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gil D. & Solbes J.: 1993, 'The Introduction of Modern Physics: Overcoming a Deformed Vision of Science', International Journal of Science Education 15(3), 255-260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodson, D.: 1994, 'Seeking Directions for Change. The Personalization and Politicization of Science Education', Curriculum Studies 2(1), 71-98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hashweh, M.Z.: 1986, 'Towards an Explanation of Conceptual Change', European Journal of Science Education 8(3), 229-249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holton, G.: 1952, Introduction to Concepts and Theories in Physical Science, Addison-Wesley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holton, G.: 1996, Einstein, History and Other Passions. The Rebellion Against Science at the End of the Twentieth Century, AIP Press, Woodbury, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holton, G., Rutherford, F.J. & Watson, F.G.: 1970, The Project Physics Course, Holt-Rinehart-Winston, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koblitz, A.H.: 1987, 'A Historian Looks at Gender and Science', International Journal of Science Education 9(3), 399-407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krugly-Smolska, E.: 1996, 'Scientific Culture,Multiculturalism and the Science Classroom', Science & Education 5, 21-29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, M.R.: 1990, 'History, Philosophy and Science. A Rapprochement', Studies in Science Education 18, 25-51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, M.R.: 1994, Science Teaching. The Role of History and Philosophy of Science, Routledge, New York-London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penick, J.E. & Yager, R.E.: 1986, 'Trends in Science Education: Some Observations of Exemplary Programs in the United States', European Journal of Science Education 8(1) 1-9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, M.P.: 1992, 'Raising Questions: Philosophical Significance of Controversy in Science', Science & Education 1, 163-179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwab, J.J.: 1962, 'The Teaching of Science as Inquiry' in The Teaching of Science, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solbes, J. & Traver, M.J.: 1996, 'La Utilizació n de la Historia de las Ciencias en la Enseñ anza de la Física y Química', Enseñ anza de las Ciencias 14(1), 103-112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solbes, J. & Vilches, A.: 1997, 'STS Interactions and the Teaching of Physics and Chemistry', Science Education 81(4), 377-386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, J. & Aikenhead, G. (eds.): 1994, STS Education: International Perspectives on Reform, Teachers College Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spector, T.I.: 1995, 'Naming Names. A Brief Biography of Women Chemists', Journal of Chemical Education 72(5), 393-395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Traver, M.J.: 1996, La Histò ria de les Ciè ncies en l'Ensenyament de la Física i la Química, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Valencia, Spain.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpert, L.: 1992, The Unnatural Nature of Science, Faber & Faber, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yager, R.E. & Penick, J.E.: 1986, 'Perception of Four Age Groups Toward Science Classes, Teachers and the Values of Science', Science Education 70(2), 335-363.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Solbes, J., Traver, M. Against a Negative Image of Science: History of Science and the Teaching of Physics and Chemistry. Science & Education 12, 703–717 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025660420721

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025660420721

Keywords

Navigation