Chinese Journal of Science Education

Abstract

In recent reforms of science education, the nature of science (NOS) and history of science (HOS) are broadly emphasized. However, there is a lack of consensus on what should be taught regarding the NOS and HOS. This paper interviewed 20 experts and scholars in Taiwan, including scientists, science educators, history and philosophy of science (HPS), environmental educators and education experts using Delphi Method. Regarding the NOS, the teaching goals can be broken down into 3 education levels: 9 items for elementary schools, 22 for junior high schools, and 28 for senior high schools. However, the results indicated that the experts have not agreed on the necessity for elementary schools to study the HOS. Five and 12 items of teaching goals were composed of the content of the HOS in junior high school and senior high schools, respectively. These HOS items are fundamental and therefore must be included in the curriculum. In additional, the results from the survey regarding teaching goals of NOS are in agreement with the findings of McComas & Almazroa (1998) and Osborne et al., (2003). However, in comparison with the nine-year articulated curriculum, the teaching goals of NOS are different from our research. Reconsideration of the teaching goals of NOS in the nine-year articulated curriculum may be necessary. In summary, this study not only provides teaching goals and objectives of the NOS and HOS for elementary and secondary schools, but also provides a reference framework for the future development of science curriculums.

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