Scientific Literacy Essay

Physics 310 -- Readings for Teaching High School Physics
Illinois State University Physics Teacher Education Program
Carl J. Wenning, Program Coordinator
Spring Semester 2012

Criteria:

It is often said that the main goal of science teaching is to achieve "scientific literacy" among the students. Unless a science teacher has a decent understanding of what scientific literacy is, it is unlikely that he or she will be able to intentionally teaching in such a way that maximizes this outcome. Unless a science teacher knows the value of scientific literacy, there is little hope that he or she will teach in such a way as to achieve it among the students.

Write an essay, ranging between 4 and 6 double-spaced pages, that represents a legitimate understanding of scientific literacy. Include pertinent quotes and/or definitions from Project 2061: Benchmarks for Science Literacy, National Science Education Standards, Science for all Americans, and the Illinois Learning Standards. You also may want to read any of a host of works dealing with this subject matter that are available from Milner Library.

In your paper answer the following questions quoting the above documents as relevant. Include both the number of the question and the question itself before each section of your essay.

Informational Questions:

1. What are the goals of science teaching?
2. What are the goals of physics teaching?
3. What is scientific literacy?
4. Are there different types of scientific literacy? (In other words, list and explain the different types of scientific literacy identified in the PowerPointer presentation used in this course.)
5. Are there different degrees of scientific literacy? (In other words, list and explain different degrees of scientific literacy as they relate to the above types - in general.)
6. What type and degree of scientific literacy should be promoted among general high school students?
7. How can you tell if someone is scientifically literate as you have defined it in question 3?
8. Are you scientifically literate in relation to the definition you just provided?
9. Who is scientifically literate?
10. What does scientific literacy do for a person?
11. What are the reasons for scientific literacy?
12. What roles of physics play in achieving scientific literacy?
13. How does each student construct knowledge, acquires skills, and develop effective and efficient critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities in order to become scientifically literate?
14. What practices might a physics teacher employ to help general high school students become scientifically literate?
15. Is scientific literacy as you defined it in question 3 necessary for all students, or just a select few? Justify your claim.

In addition, your essay must satisfy the following general criteria:

• Paper is typed double space, using a 12-point Times font or similar
• 4-6 pages in length
• Makes appropriate use of grammar
• Logically presented
• Shows evidence of reflection
• Accurate
• Contains not less than three references
• Turned in on time (25%/day penalty for each school day late)
• Satisfies stated objectives

See the appropriate essay scoring rubric hyperlinked in the course syllabus for complete details.

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(Last updated 5/5/2010, cjw)