Doing Science: Images of Science in Science Education

by Robin Millar (Editor)

Doing Science is unique in seeking to make explicit the links between science education and science studies. These fields of study and their respective academic communities, whilst appearing to have many potential points of contact, remain surprisingly separate, with little apparent recognition of the relevance to the interests of each of the work done within the other tradition. Presenting detailed accounts of current research, the book highlights the significance of modern science studies for classroom practice and, conversely, the importance of the classroom and teaching laboratory as a context for science studies. The thread which runs through the collection as a whole is children’s experience of doing science and the image of science which learners pick up along with the science knowledge, understanding and skills they require.

228 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1989

About the author

Professor Robin Millar is a member of the Department of Education at the University of York, England.

He came to York in 1982, after 8 years teaching physics and general science in schools in the Edinburgh area. Before that he had graduated in Natural Sciences from Cambridge (Part II in Theoretical Physics), done a PhD in Medical Physics at the University of Edinburgh, and trained as a science teacher at Moray House College.

He is Chair of the Departmental Research Committee, and he has directed (or co-directed) several large science education projects, most recently as co-ordinator of the Evidence-based Practice in Science Education Research Network, which was part of the ESRC Teaching and Learning Research Programme.

He has been involved in several major curriculum development projects, including Salters Science, Salters Horners Advanced Physics, AS-level Science for Public Understanding and A-level Science in Society. He co-directs the Twenty First Century Science project, which has developed a suite of GCSE courses with a scientific literacy core, designed to provide a more flexible set of options for schools and students.