Comments on the cultural and educational significance of an unprecedentedly reliable representation of vast regions of the natural world and a non-arbitrary public framework for understanding and furthering important areas of public concern. Influential arguments against granting a privileged role to serious science on the basis of differential…

Identifies possible sources of the complaint that the study of the history or philosophy of science could be of no value to scientists. Proposes a remedy for scientists and science teachers by way of a new principle that seeks to demarcate those elements of the history and philosophy of science that are of the greatest use to them. (SAH)

Discusses the question, How much understanding of ethics and of what kind is needed to enable useful engagement with practical issues? Discusses this question in the context of a university-level class in the area of ethical issues in biotechnology. (SAH)

Utilizes the play "Faust" to understand physics. Makes a struggle to promote the odd idea of a weightless particle. Emphasizes the fact that new ideas in physical science become more accessible, comprehensible, and familiar through dramatization. (SAH)

Part of a larger work on the history, philosophy, and utilization of pendulum motion studies, addresses the fate of Christiaan Huygens' 1673 proposal to use the length of a seconds pendulum as a universal, natural, and objective standard of length. (SAH)

Presents Newton's main ideas for the formulation of classical mechanics as given in the Principia. Discusses Ernst Mach's criticisms of Newtonian mechanics as contained in his book, "The Science of Mechanics". Analyzes the influence of Mach's ideas in the teaching of classical mechanics by considering five textbooks. Concludes that Mach's ideas…

Uses Galileo's 'jumping-hill' experiment as an historical element to improve science teaching in the classroom. Illustrates that the experiment can stimulate an animated discussion in the classroom, even if precise historic circumstances are not mentioned. The historical dimensions bring some color into the lesson, which increases attention. (SAH)

Describes the life and accomplishments of Georg von Bekesy. Discusses his educational background and research career, and describes his extensive work on the ear, particularly the inner ear or cochlea. (SAH)

Focuses on the selection, classification, and comparative presentation of various proposals concerning the contribution of the history of physics in physics education that have been designed and/or carried out as part of either research or curriculum development during the last century. (Author/SAH)

"Benchmarks" and "Standards" describe science in terms that seem to emphasize tentative, local knowledge while at other times emphasizing stable, universal knowledge. Presents an overall picture of science to be one of modern realism, and shows how the postmodern relativist could select statements that paint a scene as epistemically equivalent to…

Lists references that focus on the empirical research related to the nature of science as an educational goal along with a few influential philosophical works. The list proves useful to educators and scholars in other fields interested in the nature of science and how understanding can be realized as a goal of science instruction. (Author/SAH)

Explains how Henry Cavendish performed an experiment to measure the density of the earth. Considers the problems that can arise in maintaining the anachronisms of his approach. (MM)

Analyzes the politicization of the natural sciences curriculum in Argentinean schools in relation to evolutionist theories and the teaching of astronomy and cosmography. Concludes that the ways in which content is selected and arranged arise as a solution to ideological conflicts. (MM)

Suggests that the motivation for Hungarian scientist Lorand Eotvos' research into gravitation was a desire to popularize university education and science. (MM)

Takes the position that introducing the history and philosophy of science into school science curricula is a necessary, though not sufficient, part of any school effort to promote science literacy. Reports on the progress of two such initiatives, namely The Project Physics Course and Project 2061. (MM)