Physics 310 -- Readings for Teaching High School
Physics
Illinois State University Physics Teacher Education Program
Carl J. Wenning, Program Coordinator
Spring Semester 2004
In this 3-part Nature of Science project teacher candidates will demonstrate that they know and understated the philosophical nature of science and the conventions of scientific explanation. You will describe the general nature of science, and identify its assumptions and values. You will clearly define terms frequently used in the scientific process. You will distinguish science from religion and pseudoscience, and identify its ways of knowing.
Albert Einstein alluded to the importance of scientists understanding the nature of science when he used his famous "hunchback" analogy. If this concept is to have any meaning, Einstein posited, then there must be some way of determining whether or not a man has a hunched back. If one could conceive of no possible way of reaching such a decision, then the word would have no real meaning. So it is for science. Unless science can be distinguished from such things as pseudoscience and religion, then it has no meaning apart from pseudoscience and religion either. Science teachers need to be able to distinguish science from the others if we are to teach science to the exclusion of the others. For instance, too often science is taught like religion. "Listen to me, I'm the teacher." or "Here, you'll find your answer in the textbook." If one were to replace the word teacher with preacher, rabbi, minister, priest, or mullah, and the term textbook with Bible, Koran, Torah, or whatever, then would be the difference between science so taught and religion? Because science (and science teaching) claims to be different from religion (and pseudoscience), physics teachers need to be able to define and distinguish science, pseudoscience, and religion.
Select for reading one of the following books that deals with the nature of science:
Obtain your selection from Milner Library. Read the book carefully so as to generate good answers to as many of the following questions as possible. You may also rely on readings provided you in class. Prepare a first-draft written essay, answering as many of the following questions as possible; they will serve as the basis of an in-class discussion. This part of your essay should be completed and handed in during the class period immediately prior to the first Nature of Science class discussion. Following the second class discussion, you will need to answer all questions in finished form. Depending upon the success of the class discussion, you may have to conduct additional research.
Examine the PBS website Teaching Evolution: An Online Course for Teachers to get a better understanding of the Nature of Science using evolution as a model. This very interesting resource will all you to explore how the processes of science develop our understanding of the natural world and reflect on the value and limits of the scientific process.
Your Nature of Science essay should be 6 to 8 pages in length when in final
form. The final form is due one week after the last class discussion on the
Nature of Science. See the course syllabus for the schedule. Be certain to
enumerate your answers using the numbers and questions below as a guide; keep
your definitions concise.
In addition, your essay must satisfy the following general criteria:
Write a one-page review of the book from the above list that you have chosen to read in partial fulfillment of obtaining sufficient background to complete your nature of science essay. This essay should be appended to the Nature of Science Essay of Part I, and will be considered part of the page count in that project. The rubric used to assess that essay will be the same as used to the book report.
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Course Objective Assessed: (2) Describe the nature of scientific epistemology, distinguishing between belief and knowledge, and note the limitations that are naturally imposed on scientific knowledge. |
Scientists claim that science is different from pseudoscience and religion to the extent that it is empirical. That is, science claims, at least to a certain degree, that its knowledge is based upon the observable. Any good scientist generally should be able to state the empirical basis for any sort of scientific belief. Knowing how one knows something is the basis of scientific epistemology, and is just as important as what one knows. In this essay project you will describe the nature of scientific epistemology, distinguishing between belief and knowledge.
Science is tentative, and cannot and does not claim to know all things. It cannot be relied upon to make all sorts of judgments. So, in addition to defining the nature of scientific epistemology, the student will note the limitations that are naturally imposed on scientific knowledge. In your paper you should attempt to answer the following questions. Please be certain to enumerate your answers to these questions.
In addition, your essay must satisfy the following general criteria:
Return to PHY 310 Required Student Tasks/Assignments
Return to PHY 310 Course Syllabus
Return to The Nature of Science I and II