(9-12) M5

Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 07/01/04

9-12

M5: Examine the historical relationships between prevailing cultural beliefs and breakthroughs in science and technology.

Curriculum Organizing Questions

What were the cultural beliefs at the time of the breakthrough?

Did the cultural beliefs hinder or help progress toward this breakthrough?

Did cultural beliefs change after the breakthrough? Was the change influenced by the breakthrough?

Elaboration
Science, technology, and society are interwoven.

Specific Ideas

The early Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, Hindu, and Arabic cultures are responsible for many scientific and mathematical ideas and technological inventions.Benchmarks 1C1.

Modern science is based on traditions of thought that came together in Europe about 500 years ago.Benchmarks 1C2.

Progress in science and invention depends heavily on what else is happening in society, and history often depends on scientific and technological developments.Benchmarks 1C3.

During the past two centuries, modern science has contributed significantly to the industrialization of Western and nonwestern cultures.NSES G3a.

Usually, changes in science occur as small modifications in extant knowledge. The daily work of science and engineering results in incremental advances in our understanding of the world and our ability to meet human needs and aspirations.NSES G3b.

Cultural beliefs strongly influence the values and behavior of the people who grow up in the culture, often without their being fully aware of it. Benchmarks 7A1.

Developmental & Instructional Implications
Strong links to history and philosophy.

Little research has been reported on the use of history in teaching the nature of science. But learning about the history of science might help students to improve their general understanding of science.Teachers should be sensitive to the students' lack if knowledge and perspective on time, duration, and succession when it comes to historical study. NSES p. 200.

Examples

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Curriculum Organizing Questions	What were the cultural beliefs at the time of the breakthrough? Did the cultural beliefs hinder or help progress toward this breakthrough? Did cultural beliefs change after the breakthrough? Was the change influenced by the breakthrough?
Elaboration	Science, technology, and society are interwoven.
Specific Ideas	The early Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, Hindu, and Arabic cultures are responsible for many scientific and mathematical ideas and technological inventions.Benchmarks 1C1. Modern science is based on traditions of thought that came together in Europe about 500 years ago.Benchmarks 1C2. Progress in science and invention depends heavily on what else is happening in society, and history often depends on scientific and technological developments.Benchmarks 1C3. During the past two centuries, modern science has contributed significantly to the industrialization of Western and nonwestern cultures.NSES G3a. Usually, changes in science occur as small modifications in extant knowledge. The daily work of science and engineering results in incremental advances in our understanding of the world and our ability to meet human needs and aspirations.NSES G3b. Cultural beliefs strongly influence the values and behavior of the people who grow up in the culture, often without their being fully aware of it. Benchmarks 7A1.
Developmental & Instructional Implications	Strong links to history and philosophy. Little research has been reported on the use of history in teaching the nature of science. But learning about the history of science might help students to improve their general understanding of science.Teachers should be sensitive to the students' lack if knowledge and perspective on time, duration, and succession when it comes to historical study. NSES p. 200.
Examples