Debates in Science Education

Debates in Science Education explores and highlights the key issues and debates important in science teaching and which trainee, induction-year and early-career teachers will need to address throughout their professional lives. The debates presented will encourage such teachers to consider and reflect on issues relevant to science education in order to reach their own informed judgements, so that they can better understand the field and can situate their own professional work within a broader context.

A team of international authors locate their positions in debates by reference to, or interrogation of, counter arguments, and by providing commentaries on further relevant reading in selective, but carefully annotated, bibliographies. Key issues considered include:

• The impact of government policy and strategy on science education
• Transitions from primary to secondary school
• Curriculum
• Diversity and gender
• Health and sex education
• Issues in the learning and teaching of science
• Evolution
• ICT

Each chapter is supported by reference to further reading and other material to encourage deeper exploration any of the issues, while reflective questions at the end of each chapter will help the reader to engage in the debates presented. This book will be a valuable resource for any student or practising teacher engaged in initial teacher training, continuing professional development and Masters level study.

Mike Watts is Professor of Education in the School of Sport and Education, Brunel University, responsible for developing teaching, research and consultancy, with particular emphasis on developing professional skills within the educational workforce. His own areas of research interest lie in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education, the learning and teaching of science, in schools and beyond.