INTEGRATING SCIENCE INTO YOUR GLS CURRICULUM

AGLSP 2011

AGENDA

Science Literacy and GLS Programs Deborah Finkel, Indiana University Southeast

Conceptual Issues in Developing Science Seminars Kyle Forinash, Indiana University Southeast

The Grand Design: A Science Course Case Study John Freeman, Rice University

From Evolution to Environmental Sustainability and Beyond: Examples of GLS Science Courses Stephanie Schechner, Widener University

Questions/Discussion

Literacy

Concerns about literacy exist:

What about scientific literacy?

Source: nces.ed.gov

What is Scientific Literacy?

Broad understanding of basic concepts of science.

Hazen (2002): Using science, not doing science.

“If you can understand scientific issues in magazines and newspapers (if you can tackle articles about genetic engineering or the ozone hole with the same ease that you would sports, politics, or the arts) then you are scientifically literate.”

Hazen, R. M. (2002). Why should you be scientifically literate. ActionBioscience.org

Why Should GLS Promote Scientific Literacy? We live in an age of scientific discovery Scientific issues are the subject of many

debates Scientific literacy helps us understand

the issues Appreciate the world around us Make informed personal choices

Scientific Literacy in the U.S. What percent of adults in U.S. are

scientifically literate? According to Miller (1998):

Less than 7% of adults 22% of college graduates 26% of those with graduate degrees

Miller, Jon. 1998. “The measurement of civic scientific literacy.” Public Understanding of Science 7:203-223.

Scientific Literacy in the U.S.

All 3 correct

Approximately what percent of earth's surface is covered with water?

Did the earliest humans and dinosaurs live at the same time?

How long does it take the earth to revolve around the sun?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Percent Correct

Source: www.science20.com

Global Warming

Public Acceptance of Evolution Across Countries

Source: Science

Solution #1

The 95% Solution (Falk & Dierking, 2010) Only 5% of school is spent on science Focus on reaching people during the other 95%

How do we encourage peopleto take advantage of informalscience opportunities?

Solution #2

Foster scientific literacy in higher education: Continue to make science part of our

students’ lives

How we doin’? How well are GLS programs contributing to

fostering science literacy?

AGLSP Data

Review of web pages of full member programs N = 61

Looking for: Required science seminar/course Available science courses

Note: data are imperfect

Sciences Courses in GLS Programs

All Programs0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

NoneAvailableRequired

Nu

mb

er

of

Pro

gra

ms

MAH MALS MLA MLS other0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

NoneAvailableRequired

Perc

en

t of

Pro

gra

ms

N = 4 30 15 9 3

Science Courses in GLS Programs

Science Courses in GLS Programs

MAH MALS MLA MLS other0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

NoneAvailableRequired

Perc

en

t of

Pro

gra

ms

N = 4 30 15 9 3

No differences in distributions

Science Courses in GLS Programs

80% make science courses available. Only 20% require science courses.

Our goal today: Make it easier to integrate science into your

GLS program Answer the question:

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