Abstract
This chapter looks at the argument for a reconceptualisation of the mutual interdependence which would result in a novel and empowering science/environment/health curriculum and an associated pedagogy. Whereas science education is widely regarded as a core subject in the curriculum, health and environmental education are more likely to be seen as cross-cutting themes if they appear anywhere. The general sense of dissatisfaction with the existing science curriculum in many countries provides an opportunity to consider a radical reform based on educational soundness and relevancy rather than political expediency.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Aikenhead, G. (2011). Towards a cultural view of quality science teaching. In D. Corrigan, J. Dillon, & R. Gunstone (Eds.), The professional knowledge base of science teaching (pp. 107–127). Dordrecht: Springer.
Bonney, R., Ballard, H., Jordan, R., McCallie, E., Phillips, T., Shirk, J., & Wilderman, C. C. (2009). Public participation in scientific research: Defining the field and assessing its potential for informal science education. A CAISE Inquiry Group Report, Washington, DC: Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE).
Cowell, D., & Watkins, R. (2007). Get out of the classroom to study climate change—the “Spring Bulbs for Schools” project. Primary Science Review, 97, 25–28.
Department for Education (DfE). (2010). The importance of teaching: Schools white paper. London: DfE. Available at: http://publications.education.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/CM-7980.pdf.
Dillon, J. (2003). On learners and learning in environmental education: Missing theories, Ignored communities. Environmental Education Research, 9(2), 215–226.
Dillon, J. (2009). On scientific literacy and curriculum reform. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 4(3), 201–213.
Dillon, J., & Gill, P. (2001). Risk, environment and health: aspects of policy and practice. School Science Review, 83(303), 65–73.
Dillon, J., & Scott, W. (2002). Perspectives on environmental education–related research in science education. International Journal of Science Education, 24, 1111–1117.
ESRC Global Environmental Change Programme. (2000). Risky choices, soft disasters: Environmental decision making under uncertainty. Brighton: University of Sussex. Retrieved from, http://infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/12/11013.pdf, on March 31, 2012.
Fensham, P. J., & May, J. B. (1979). Servant not master—a new role for science in a core of environmental education. Australian Science Teachers’ Journal, 25, 15–24.
Gayford, C. (2002). Controversial environmental issues: a case study for the professional development of science teachers. International Journal of Science Education, 24, 1191–1200.
Glasgow Centre for Population Health (2010). Developing capacity for effective action to tackle health inequalities. Available at: http://www.gcph.co.uk/work_programmes/local_authority_role/healthy_school_food_policy
Gordon, T. (2010). Cost of obesity could reach £3bn a year and hurt economic growth, heraldscotland (February 21, 2010). Available at: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/health/cost-of-obesity-could-reach-3bn-a-year-and-hurt-economic-growth-1.1008165.
Gough, A. (2002). Mutualism: A different agenda for environmental and science education. International Journal of Science Education, 24(11), 1201–1215.
Grace, M. M., & Ratcliffe, M. (2002). The science and values that young people draw upon to make decisions about biological conservation issues. International Journal of Science Education, 24, 1157–1169.
Jenkins, E. W. (1999). School science, citizenship and the public understanding of science. International Journal of Science Education, 21(7), 703–710.
Jenkins, E. W. (2003). Environmental education and the public understanding of science. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 1, 437–443.
Jenkins, E., & Nelson, N. W. (2005). Important but not for me: students’ attitudes toward secondary school science in England. Research in Science & Technological Education, 23, 41–57.
Jensen, B. B. (1995). Teaching for and with democracy. In D. Colquhoun, K. Goltz, M. Sheehan, & B. Marshall (Eds.), The proceedings of the inaugural national health promoting schools conference. Geelong: Deakin University.
Jensen, B. B., Schnack, K., & Simovska, V. (2002). Critical environmental and health education research issues and challenges. Copenhagen: Research Centre for Environmental and Health Education, University of Education.
Laugksch, R. C. (2000). Scientific literacy: A conceptual overview. Science Education, 84(1), 71–94.
Lucas, A. M. (1980). Science and environmental education: Pious hopes, self praise and disciplinary chauvinism. Studies in Science Education, 7, 1–26.
Maller, C. (2005). Hands–on contact with nature in primary schools as a catalyst for developing a sense of community and cultivating mental health and wellbeing. Eingana, 28, 16–21.
Martin, M. O., Mullis, I. V. S., Gonzales, E. J., Gregory, K. D., Smith, T. A., Chrostowski, S. J., Garden, R. A., & O’Connor, K. M. (2000). TIMSS 1999 international science report: Findings from IEA’s repeat of the third internationalmathematics and science study at the eighth grade. Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College. National Institute for Educational Research: Tokyo.
McEneaney, E. H. (2003). The worldwide cachet of scientific literacy. Comparative Education Review, 47(2), 217–237.
NASA. (2009). NASA announces climate change education funding opportunity. Press release 09–131. Available at: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/jun/HQ_09-131_Edu_Climate_Opp.html.
Nutbeam, D. (1998). Health promotion glossary. Health Promotion International, 13, 349–364.
Nutbeam, D. (2000). Health literacy as a public health goal: a challenge for contemporary health education and communication strategies in the 21st century. Health Promotion International, 15(3), 259–267.
Osborne, J., & Dillon, J. (2008). Science education in Europe: Critical reflections. London: Nuffield Foundation.
Oulton, C., Day, V., Dillon, J., & Grace, M. (2004). Controversial issues—teachers’ attitudes and practices in the context of citizenship education. Oxford Review of Education, 30, 489–507.
Roberts, D. A. (2007). Opening remarks. In C. Linder, L. Östman, & P.-O. Wickman, (Eds.), Promoting scientific literacy: Science education research in transaction. Proceedings of the Linnaeus Tercentenary Symposium (9–17). Uppsala: Uppsala University.
Roth, W.-M., & Barton, A. C. (2004). Rethinking scientific literacy. New York, NY: RoutledgeFalmer.
Sjøberg, S., & Schreiner, C. (2005). How do learners in different cultures relate to science and technology? Results and perspectives from the project ROSE. Asia Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, 6, 1–16.
Tones, K. (2002). Health literacy: new wine in old bottles? Health Education Research, 17(3), 287–290.
Tse, V. (2010). Swedish pupils slide in new global ranking. The Local (December 7, 2010). Available at: http://www.thelocal.se/30668/20101207/
UNESCO (1978) Intergovernmental conference on environmental education: Tbilisi (USSR), 14–26 October 1977. Final report. Paris: UNESCO.
Vosniadou, S. (2001). How children learn. Brussels: International Academy of Education.
Wals, A. E. J., & Dillon, J. (forthcoming). Learning theories and their implications for environmental education research. In, R. B. Stevenson, M. Brody, J. Dillon, & A. E. J. Wals, (Eds.), International Handbook of Research in Environmental Education. New York: Routledge.
Walsh, S., & Tilford, S. (1998). Health education in initial teacher training at secondary phase in England and Wales: current provision and the impact of the 1992 government reforms. Health Education Journal, 57(4), 360–373.
Webster, K. (1996). The secondary years. In J. Huckle & S. Sterling (Eds.), Education for Sustainability (pp. 72–85). London: Earthscan.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Dillon, J. (2012). Science, Environment and Health Education: Towards a Reconceptualisation of Their Mutual Interdependences. In: Zeyer, A., Kyburz-Graber, R. (eds) Science | Environment | Health. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3949-1_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3949-1_6
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-3948-4
Online ISBN: 978-90-481-3949-1
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawEducation (R0)