SCIENCE LITERACY

Introduction/concept:

Literacy (vs illiteracy) - difficult concept to define; has various meanings/definitions

What are the minimal or functional level of knowledge and skills/abilities required for all students?

eg language literacy- ability to do basic writing and reading ?

mathematics literacy- ability to do basic counting ?

computer literacy - ability to do basic computing?

science literacy - ability to do ...what?

technology literacy - ability to do... what ?

science and technology literacy...?

science, technology and society literacy...?

science, technology, engineering and mathematics literacy...?

Definition of a literacy of any kind is very complex, has not been generally accepted and varies according to stage of development of countries - underdeveloped, developing and developed countries, achievements of science and technology, the culture of a society, system of education and so on.

Furthermore it is a continuum, developing and achieving scientific literacy is a continuous process and is a lifetime tasks.

What is the right/proper level or standard and benchmark of the so called scientifically literate citizens (for example) of Malaysia?

However common definition of science literacy consists of a set of characteristics :

1. types of scientific knowledge (breadth and depth- concepts, laws, principles, theories etc),

2. skills (broad range of abilities/competencies, science process skills, methods of scientific inquiry and reasoning problem solving skills, etc) and

3. attitudes

(values, motivation, interest, social-cultural implications of science etc) which allows direct teaching, learning and 'easy" assessment in order to achieve agreed scientific literacy for all students after completing compulsory education at the age 0f 18.

Science literacy was often associated with the level of general science education of a country ie

for example in Malaysia - science education (SPM level). It shows a general and broad rather than deep scientific knowledge.

In the context of Malaysia what do you understand by the "scientifically literate person" ?

(refer to KBSM general science curriculum).