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Series

Science and Mathematics Education

Scientific Literacy and Cultural Studies Project

2002

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Education

An Investigation Of Preservice Elementary Teachers' Thinking About Science, William W. Cobern, Cathleen C. Loving Jan 2002

An Investigation Of Preservice Elementary Teachers' Thinking About Science, William W. Cobern, Cathleen C. Loving

Scientific Literacy and Cultural Studies Project

It is not common to find media reports on the failures of science education; nor uncommon to hear prestigious scientists publicly lament the rise of anti-science attitudes. Given the position elementary teachers have in influencing children, anti-science sentiment amongst them would be a significant concern. Hence, this article reports an investigation where preservice elementary teachers responded to the Thinking about Science survey instrument. This newly developed instrument addresses the broad relationship of science to nine important areas of society and culture and is intended to reveal the extent of views being consistent with or disagreeing with a commonly held worldview …


Culturally Important Issues And Science: A Gender And Science-Interest Investigation, William W. Cobern, Cathleen C. Loving Jan 2002

Culturally Important Issues And Science: A Gender And Science-Interest Investigation, William W. Cobern, Cathleen C. Loving

Scientific Literacy and Cultural Studies Project

Elementary science methods students nearing completion of their preservice teacher preparation are an important source for gauging views about science and its relation to culture. This research investigates gender and science interest as correlates of the valuation of science vis-à-vis nine culturally important categories as measured by the Thinking About Science Survey. Over one thousand male and female students at a large midwestern university took part in this study.