ERIC Number: EJ1056447
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1450-104X
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Personal Beliefs as Key Drivers in Identifying and Solving Seminal Problems: Lessons from Faraday, Maxwell, Kepler and Newton
Caleon, I. S.; Wui, Ma. G. Lopez; Regaya, Ma. H. P.
Science Education International, v26 n1 p3-23 2015
The movement towards the use of the history of science and problem-based approaches in teaching serves as the impetus for this paper. This treatise aims to present and examine episodes in the lives of prominent scientists that can be used as resources by teachers in relation to enhancing students' interest in learning, fostering skills about problem solving and developing scientific habits of mind. The paper aims to describe the nature and basis of the personal beliefs, both religious and philosophical, of four prominent scientists--Faraday, Maxwell, Kepler and Newton. Patterns of how these scientists set the stage for a fruitful research endeavor within the context of an ill-structured problem situation are examined and how their personal beliefs directed their problem-solving trajectories was elaborated. The analysis of these key seminal works provide evidence that rationality and religion need not necessarily lie on opposite fences: both can serve as useful resources to facilitate the fruition of notable scientific discoveries.
Descriptors: Beliefs, Problem Based Learning, Science Education History, Scientists, Student Interests, Role Models, Problem Solving, Creative Thinking, Scientific Research, Religious Factors, Educational Resources, Profiles, Energy Education, Magnets, Motion, Intellectual History, Spiritual Development, Scientific Concepts
International Council of Associations for Science Education. Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Education, Buca, Izmir 35150, Turkey. Tel: +90-532-4267927; Fax: +90-232-4204895; Web site: http://icaseonline.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A