ERIC Number: EJ1164763
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-May
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1089-9995
EISSN: N/A
Science as Storytelling for Teaching the Nature of Science and the Science-Religion Interface
Bickmore, Barry R.; Thompson, Kirsten R.; Grandy, David A.; Tomlin, Teagan
Journal of Geoscience Education, v57 n3 p178-190 May 2009
Here we describe a method for teaching the NOS called "Science as Storytelling," which was designed to directly confront narve realist preconceptions about the NOS and replace them with more sophisticated ideas, while retaining a moderate realist perspective. It was also designed to foster a more sophisticated understanding of the science-religion interface, where occasional science-religion conflicts are seen as inevitable in cases where religious beliefs incorporate supernatural intervention in the natural world. We evaluated the program as implemented in a geology course for preservice elementary teachers at Brigham Young University, and showed that it was successful at helping students understand the tentative and creative aspects of scientific thought, and fostering more positive attitudes toward science. Our evaluation also showed that the students adopted a more irenic stance toward science-religion conflict. These results directly contradict fears that emphasizing the creative and tentative aspects of the NOS, and admitting that science and religion sometimes conflict, will cause students to reject scientific claims to an even greater degree.
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Teaching Methods, Scientific Principles, Preservice Teacher Education, Elementary School Science, Elementary School Teachers, Religion, Beliefs, Geology, Concept Formation, Student Attitudes, Controversial Issues (Course Content), Conflict, Story Telling, Program Evaluation, Program Effectiveness, Pretests Posttests, Student Surveys, Statistical Analysis, Scores
National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Carleton College W-SERC, One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057. Tel: 540-568-6675; Fax: 540-568-8058; e-mail: jge@jmu.edu; Website: http://nagt-jge.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Utah
Grant or Contract Numbers: EAR0451068