The Science Curriculum: Knowledge, Skills and Citizenship

In his study “What is Curriculum? Kieran Egan discusses the importance of the “What” (the subject content) and the “How” (the pedagogical content) as main components of the curriculum. But let's consider Lyn Yates' big picture question: “What kind of schooling is needed to be a worker and citizen in the coming century?

I would like to reflect on 2 of our provocations in the context of my KLA: science.

“What do students need from me?”.. and from my science class?

Is it to learn science facts and reasoning or to obtain a better understanding of the world and our environment?

“Do we teach students or subjects?” 

Do I want my students to be knowledgeable in biology, or do I want them to acquire useful skills to prepare them for adult life as a better person and citizen?

In the National Curriculum Board 2009, there is a strong focus on the commitment to support all young Australians to become active and informed citizens.In a science context, consumers and citizens needs to evaluate scientific facts and make informed decisions and choices. We need to be scientifically literate and we need to develop scientifically literate students.

References:

Churchill, R 2011. Teaching, making a difference, John Willey and Sons, Australia, Ltd. Chapter 7, pp. 203.

Egan, K, 2003. What is curriculum? Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies, vol. 1, no 1, pp. 9-16.

Yates,  L 2009.  From curriculum to pedagogy and back again: knowledge, the person and the changing world. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, vol. 17, no 1, pp. 17-28.