Should K–12 Science Education Adopt a Wiser Goal?

• In Event: Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: Curriculum and Instruction in the Science Classroom

Abstract

In response to repeatedly failing to achieve scientific literacy for all (National Science Foundation, 1996, 2004, 2012), the present paper argues for and defends a new, more practical aim for K-12 science education, that is, of developing scientific wisdom (SW). The authors explored various historical and contemporary interpretations of wisdom to eventually synthesize and defend a working definition of SW. Possible arguments against and counterarguments for the parameters of SW are elucidated. We further argue that the development of SW is unique from the goal of scientific literacy because it focuses on learning relevant scientifically justified beliefs to one’s life and living rationally with “good sense” (Duhem, 1915), instead of learning inert and unutilized knowledge that simply goes forgotten.

Authors

• John Y Myers, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Fouad S. Abd-El-Khalick, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign