STS Movement
(Science Technology Society)
Time Frame/Year: 1980's
Sponsor: National Science Foundation/ Yager and Hofstein
Aim of the Movement:
The focus of the STS movement was on the personal needs of the students and on the relevance of science and society. The goal was to develop students that were scientifically literate and able to understand how science, technology and society influence one another so that they are capable of using this knowledge to make everyday decisions.
Major Impact on Science Education:
This movement called for a new approach to teaching science that included socially relevant topics such as world hunger, air quality, land use and population growth. This approach had many proposed effects such as increasing student interest that would not only motivate them but also create socially conscience citizens equipped with the knowledge to help solve these problems. It was also an attractive movement because it was interdisciplinary with a focus on the future.
Long Term Contribution:
The STS movement looked good on paper but unfortunately it did not last as instead of teaching the concepts, the socially relevant issues took over the curriculum which led to a diluted version of science. In turn, this type of curriculum did not attract the type of students that was envisioned by the creators of the movement which also led to its short existence.
(Science Technology Society)
Time Frame/Year: 1980's
Sponsor: National Science Foundation/ Yager and Hofstein
Aim of the Movement:
The focus of the STS movement was on the personal needs of the students and on the relevance of science and society. The goal was to develop students that were scientifically literate and able to understand how science, technology and society influence one another so that they are capable of using this knowledge to make everyday decisions.
Major Impact on Science Education:
This movement called for a new approach to teaching science that included socially relevant topics such as world hunger, air quality, land use and population growth. This approach had many proposed effects such as increasing student interest that would not only motivate them but also create socially conscience citizens equipped with the knowledge to help solve these problems. It was also an attractive movement because it was interdisciplinary with a focus on the future.
Long Term Contribution:
The STS movement looked good on paper but unfortunately it did not last as instead of teaching the concepts, the socially relevant issues took over the curriculum which led to a diluted version of science. In turn, this type of curriculum did not attract the type of students that was envisioned by the creators of the movement which also led to its short existence.