Chinese Journal of Science Education

Abstract

The US AID to Taiwan began in the year of 1951 and terminated in the year of 1965. However, the US AID secondary science education project was not included until 1959. The purpose of this study is to examine the secondary science project under US AID and its inspiration to science education in Taiwan. The research methods included document review and interviews with related personnel. The sources of documents included the archives in the U.S. Dept. of State and US AID office as well as those in the Academia Historica in Taiwan, and the old newspapers and the journals in the public libraries. Through examining the initiation and implementation of the secondary science education project under US AID, the author makes suggestions for the current secondary science education in Taiwan. Results from the study reveal that Hu Shi and his contemporary intellects, under the U.S. policy of strengthening Mutual Security Programs and scientific cooperation with allies, used the existing conditions of Taiwan, Chiang Kai-shek’s expectations about science and a shortage of science manpower, to bring about “Outline Plan for Long-Range National Development of Science” in the 1950s. On the basis of the Outline, there were different influential factors helping to bring about the US AID secondary science education project, including the commitment the members of CAANS (Chinese Association for the Advancement of Natural Science) had made to secondary science education since the 1920s, the interaction between the China Foundation for the Promotion of Education, Ministry of Education, and Department of Education of the Taiwan Provincial Government. The starting point of secondary science education in Taiwan was historically formed in the 1950s based on the complicated confrontation between different facets, the US science education system, the local education system in Taiwan, the overemphasis on entrance examinations, the school cultural settings, the political and economic environment, the social values, and understanding of the nature of science owned by different groups. Therefore, in terms of the future development of science education, it is important to identify the core values and mission of secondary science education for the society of Taiwan.

_{[Chinese Version | Index | Chinese Journal of Science Education | Other Journals | Subscription form | Enquiry ]}

Mail any comments and suggestions to hkier-journal@cuhk.edu.hk .