Contemporary science
It is tempting to take for granted certain aspects of contemporary science. But surely no pupil's scientific education is complete without a consideration of the following fundamental questions and their implications for people throughout the world:
- How do scientists decide what to research? What are the impacts of factors such as funding availability, scientists' personal beliefs, and the priorities of the communities in which scientists live and work?
- To what extent do scientists collaborate and share their findings with each other? Why does this matter?
- How do scientists communicate their findings to the public? Does the public receive unbiased and representative information about contemporary science?
- How are research findings used? How much control do scientists have over the eventual utilisation of their discoveries and inventions? Who else controls the eventual uses of scientists' endeavours?
These questions are challenging. With the other demands of school science curricula, it is unrealistic to expect every pupil to explore each one in depth. However, a department that fully embraces the desire to deliver a global dimension in science will make opportunities for pupils to begin to consider them at an appropriate level.
The Activity on the right explores ways of tackling some of the questions that are fundamental to a full understanding of the global dimension of contemporary science.
Activity Resources:
- Images
- Interactive
- Sound
- Text
- Video
Activity
- Click on the Text icon above. Read the case study about the 'Grand Challenges in Global Health' initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Discuss the following with a colleague:
- Do you think the Foundation's choice of challenges is appropriate?
- Why have scientists not already fully addressed the grand challenges?
- Devise three more challenges you would add to the list, should funding become available.
- Click on the Text icon above to see the Science UPD8 'Say NO to Poor Health' activity sheet and Teacher's notes based on the Grand Challenges. The activity is designed for secondary pupils, but could be simplified to be accessible to primary school pupils. (Link to the UPD8 website below.) www.upd8.org.uk/activity.php?actid=149 Discuss these questions with a colleague:
- Does the activity represent the 'grand challenge' dilemmas appropriately and realistically?
- Which of the fundamental questions identified in the narrative on the left does the activity provide opportunities to explore?
- Try out the UPD8 activity with a class. If possible, ask a colleague to observe the lesson. Afterwards, evaluate how effectively your pupils were able to address the fundamental questions you identified above.
