STS PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH

Introduction:

The philosophy and approach of STS (science, technology and society) is the unifying concept of science, technology and society with the concept of acquiring knowledge, skills and attitudes so that the goals of science education can be achieved by a coherent and integrated manner.

Its contrasted with traditional science curriculum where science content (ie physics, chemistry and biology) is taught in isolation from "technology" and "society".

The main aim of this approach is to help students appreciate the implications of scientific and technological development to the society.

How to implement it?

1. Any suitable social, technological, environmental and ethical issues (eg balanced diet, air pollution, nuclear energy, drugs abuse, animal experimentation, genetic engineering, green technology, energy conservation,etc) can be used as the focus for the teaching and learning of a particular science content (eg classes of food- proteins, fats; metal, energy, animal, plants, cells, structure of atom, chemical bonds, acids and bases, heat, light, energy, etc).

2. T&L should be student-centered through active learning involving group work, cooperative learning, inquiry-discovery, investigational work, constructivist approach , problem-based learning (PBL) etc.

Advantages of STS approach ( to rectify the inadequacies of traditional science curriculum)

1. to increase public (science for all policy) and students' interest and motivation in learning science and technology (for eg in Malaysia, ratio (science) 60 : 40 (arts) )

2. reflects the multidisciplinary nature of science and technology and provides a wide interpretation of science and technology (ie a "big picture" of science)

3. provides a contextual, problem solving and consideration of social, ethical and values in learning science and technology.

4. provides a balance view of science as a formal abstract concepts with the concrete and operational aspect and taught in a connected and meaningful manner. ( ie view science a human activity).

5. to increase intellectual capabilities such as critical and creative thinking

and development scientific and technological inquiry; prepare future scientists, engineers, technologists and citizens with good level of scientific literacy.

6. (In the context of Malaysia) to develop a creative, holistic, integrated and balanced person intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically as formulated in the National Education Philosophy(NEP).

In STS curriculum, traditional science content should not be "watered down", but it should be embedded in a social and technological context.

Discuss with suitable examples to what extent the STS philosophy and approach has been implemented in science education curriculum in Malaysian secondary schools .