The human relation to things in the world is at stake in the so-called post-humanist era where the distinction between human and non-human is blurred, as indicated in a term like 'the nano-self'. How should we understand the nature of our relation to things in this era? Or how can we describe an "educationally" meaningful relation we as…

This guide provides an introduction to the major issues and literature of science in society. The book is divided into four parts: (1) "The Nature of Science"; (2) "The Nature of Technology"; (3) "Humans in the Environment"; and (4) "Current Issues in Science." The first part covers a history of science technology are covered in the second. In the…

Provides a comprehensive course syllabus for a semester course in environmental history which investigates human attitudes toward nature and the response they evoke to environmental issues. Includes weekly topics, reading assignments, course format and requirements, and essay topics. (Author/DC)

Asserts that physics should be taught to stress the human aspects of laws of nature and scientific application of physical concepts. (CP)

A non-anthropocentric view of humankind's relationship with nature is addressed in these essays which are a part of an ongoing series of working papers on technology. The first essay, "Extremist Conceptions of Man and Nature" by Eric Katz critiques three popular philosophies regarding nature and the environment that are believed to be…

In the past decade, we have seen the well-established discourse of environmental education (EE) supplanted by that of education for sustainability (EfS). In some ways this change in terminology has been no more than a slogan change, with the actual educational practices associated with EfS little changed from those qualified by EE (Campbell and…

Examines the nature of science and art, and discusses the relationship between these two fields of creative human activity. (JR)

"Of Animals, Nature and People" is one of the "Preparing for Tomorrow's World" (PTW) program modules. PTW is an interdisciplinary, future-oriented program incorporating information from the sciences and social sciences and addressing societal concerns which interface science/technology/society. The program promotes responsible…

Interest in biology and the out-of-school experiences of Finnish secondary school pupils (n = 3626, median age 15) were surveyed in the spring of 2003 using the international ROSE questionnaire. Likert-scaled items were categorised with an explorative factor analysis. The scores of eight interest-context factors and seven out-of-school experience…

This interdisciplinary course is designed for senior year high school students in social studies and/or science. Its main thrust is the investigation of human values as they relate to the environment, although rooted in the natural sciences as a means of understanding the complexities inherent in the environment. Use is made of the case study…

Discusses need for and nature of science courses for the nonspecialist, outlining the content of an integrated four-year program devoted to sciences (first two years), technology (third year) and science/technology/human problems (fourth year). Includes recommendations for implementing such a program. (Author/JN)

Criticizes Hugh Lacey's use of the term "materialist" when describing materialist strategies used during structuralist explanation in scientific practice. Examines the grounds for supposing an affinity between these strategies and the growing subordination of human values to the attractions of technological transformations of nature.…

This is the executive summary for "The Role of Science and Technology in Economic Competitiveness," (1987) based on a national survey on competitiveness. The study focused on three primary topics: the adequacy of human resources and its relationship to human ability to compete; investment in resarch and development; and technology transfer, i.e.,…

This is an overview report that has been prepared as part of the first phase of Project 2061, a long-term multipurpose undertaking of the American Association for the Advancement of Science designed to help reform science, mathematics, and technology education in the United States. The first section, "Education for a Changing Future,"…

Developing an awareness of the need to evolve an environmental ethic is the intent of this module, designed for the senior high school level (grades 10-11). The module is divided into two sections. Section 1 contains a series of dilemma/discussion activities raising issues regarding human behavior toward animals and the natural environment.…