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ERIC Number: EJ1221869
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Jul
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8555
EISSN: N/A
The "Marvel"-ous Nature of Science
Bergman, Daniel
Science Teacher, v86 n9 p21-25 Jul 2019
Many Marvel superheroes have a strong connection to science and STEM-related fields. As a result, these popular films are a growing resource for increasing student engagement and enhancing science instruction. The nature of science (NOS) is defined as "a way of knowing, or the values and beliefs inherent to the development of scientific knowledge" (Lederman, Lederman, and Antink 2013, p. 140). Clough (2006, p. 463) notes that NOS refers to "what science is, how it works . . . how scientists operate as a social group and how society itself both influences and reacts to scientific endeavors." Studies have found that students with stronger NOS understanding are better at problem-solving strategies and goal-setting (Lin and Chiu 2004; Cavallo et al. 2003). While more difficult to ascertain, students' improved understanding of science content has also been connected to more informed views of NOS (Michel and Neumann 2016; Papadouris and Constantinou 2014; Peters 2012). Unfortunately, NOS is often overlooked, untaught, or misrepresented in many science classrooms (Clough 2018). Teachers who do plan for NOS content often relegate it to implicit instruction via experiments ("doing science") or use of historical examples (Lederman, Lederman, and Antink 2013). The "Next Generation Science Standards" feature NOS as a distinct chapter, outlining how to incorporate this topic with two of the three "NGSS" dimensions: crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices (NGSS Lead States 2013). In addition to discussing the rationale and research for emphasizing NOS instruction, the "NGSS" documents present a "NOS Matrix," with eight major themes and grade-level learning outcomes that extend the dimensions. This article provides examples of using Marvel films and specific scenes to address these NOS themes and "NGSS" dimensions.
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Secondary Education; High Schools
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A