Sciences education for connecting science, technology and the society

Abstract

Connecting science, technology and the society is one of the important principles of contemporary education. The foundation of this principle is the idea that scientific and technological achievements should be useful and applicable in everyday life of an individual. The paper presents the main determinants of the STS project (Science, Technology and Society Project) which deals with studying the influence of scientific research and technological development on social, political and cultural values. The basic goal of education within the STS Project is to enable the students to understand and learn to incorporate the achievements of scientific and technological development in their own cultural, ecological, economic, political and social contexts. In addition to this, the paper presents the role of sciences in connecting science, technology and the society and describes the possibilities of incorporating a similar project in chemistry instruction in our school. Pilot study which was conducted refers to the proposal for applying the principles on which the STS project is based in chemistry instruction in our country. This pilot study can present the basis for future research and the guideline that can be used for promoting the process of education in primary and secondary school.

Keywords

• science
• technology and the society
• STS project
• science instruction
• chemistry instruction
• functional knowledge