A Case History of Science and Science Education Policies

Abstract

In this chapter we examine the apparent link between the history of national science priorities and the nature of the science curriculum in one country, the United States of America. We suspect that equivalent links can be found in most other countries, especially those that have aspired to some form of international leadership in politics and commerce. We document here how national priorities in the United States and the resulting political structure of the science establishment over the past century have resulted in a representation of the nature of science in school science curriculum that is inconsistent with the challenges facing the science establishment in the post Cold War world. Especially influential has been the need to develop a source of science and engineering man power and the technology essential for maintaining a strong national defense and an economically competitive business community. Science curricula are heavily influenced by the nature of the physical sciences since they have been successful in providing the scientific foundation for establishing and maintaining a powerful military and industrial/commercial capability.