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.
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.
Calatayud, M.L. et al.: 1995-1998, Proyecto Galaxia: Física y Química, Octaedro, Barcelona.
Chalmers, A.: 1990, Science and its Fabrication, Open University Press, Milton Keynes.
Conant, J.B. (ed.): 1957, Harvard Case Histories in Experimental Science, 2 vols., Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
Gil, D., Carrascosa, J., Furió , C. & Martínez, J.: 1991, La Enseñ anza de las Ciencias en la Educació n Secundaria, ICE-Horsori, Barcelona.
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.
Hodson, D.: 1994, 'Seeking Directions for Change. The Personalization and Politicization of Science Education', Curriculum Studies 2(1), 71-98.
Hashweh, M.Z.: 1986, 'Towards an Explanation of Conceptual Change', European Journal of Science Education 8(3), 229-249.
Holton, G.: 1952, Introduction to Concepts and Theories in Physical Science, Addison-Wesley, New York.
Holton, G.: 1996, Einstein, History and Other Passions. The Rebellion Against Science at the End of the Twentieth Century, AIP Press, Woodbury, NY.
Holton, G., Rutherford, F.J. & Watson, F.G.: 1970, The Project Physics Course, Holt-Rinehart-Winston, New York.
Koblitz, A.H.: 1987, 'A Historian Looks at Gender and Science', International Journal of Science Education 9(3), 399-407.
Krugly-Smolska, E.: 1996, 'Scientific Culture,Multiculturalism and the Science Classroom', Science & Education 5, 21-29.
Matthews, M.R.: 1990, 'History, Philosophy and Science. A Rapprochement', Studies in Science Education 18, 25-51.
Matthews, M.R.: 1994, Science Teaching. The Role of History and Philosophy of Science, Routledge, New York-London.
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.
Silverman, M.P.: 1992, 'Raising Questions: Philosophical Significance of Controversy in Science', Science & Education 1, 163-179.
Schwab, J.J.: 1962, 'The Teaching of Science as Inquiry' in The Teaching of Science, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
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.
Solbes, J. & Vilches, A.: 1997, 'STS Interactions and the Teaching of Physics and Chemistry', Science Education 81(4), 377-386.
Solomon, J. & Aikenhead, G. (eds.): 1994, STS Education: International Perspectives on Reform, Teachers College Press, New York.
Spector, T.I.: 1995, 'Naming Names. A Brief Biography of Women Chemists', Journal of Chemical Education 72(5), 393-395.
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.
Wolpert, L.: 1992, The Unnatural Nature of Science, Faber & Faber, London.
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.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025660420721