Activity: What is Science as a Human Endeavour?
Discussion question: What does the current definition of Science as a Human
Endeavour mean for your teaching?
Incorporating Science as a Human Endeavour (SHE) into your curriculum
Activity (5 minutes of reading and silent note-making, 5 minutes of discussion, and 10
minutes of reportal to the larger group): Read this definition silently and make notes on what
you think this definition means in terms of your curriclum. How are you going to teach this? After
this 5 minutes, discuss your thoughts with your group of 3-4 for 5 minutes. Are your perceptions
different? Do you think this definition of Science as a Human Endeavour covers all of the
possibilities for the topic? At the end of the small-group discussion we will ask the small groups
to share with the larger group.
The current draft Biology and Chemistry Senior Science syllabi both contain this definition of
SHE.
Through science, humans seek to improve their understanding and explanations of, and ability to
predict phenomena in, the natural world. Since science involves the construction of explanations
based on evidence, science concepts, models, and theories can be changed as new evidence
becomes available, often through the application of new technologies.
Science influences society by posing, and responding to, social and ethical questions, and scientific
research is itself influenced by the needs and priorities of society.
This strand highlights the development of science as a unique way of knowing and doing, the
communication of science and the role of science in decision-making and problem solving. In
particular, this strand develops both students’ understanding of science as a community of
practice, and their appreciation that science knowledge is generated from consensus within a
group of scientists and is therefore dynamic and involves critique and uncertainty.
It acknowledges that in making decisions about science practices and applications, ethical and
social implications must be taken into account.
Extracted from two sources (identical in both cases):
http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Chemistry.pdf#search=Science%20understanding
http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Biology.pdf#search=Science%20understanding
Free Range Eggs
This exercise aims to get you thinking about how you will build an understanding of
Science as a Human Endeavour (SHE) into your
EEIs.
You should do this alone or with one partner (talk
quietly!!!). After you have had time to think about this,
we will call on individuals to share with the group.
1) On your paper, draw an egg about the size of
your hand. Inside it, write the title of the EEI or
research question idea you are developing at
the moment. Keep the title SHORT.
2) Your task is to consider how you can
incorporate SHE ideas into this EEI or research question. To do this, draw spokes out from
the egg. At the end of each spoke, write an SHE goal (something related to a SHE concept,
idea, or practice).
3) On the body of each spoke, write down an activity you could get your students to do which
will help them reach an understanding of the SHE goal.
4) For the items you have added in step 3, consider the following questions: Are these in or
out-of class activities? Are they assessment activities? Are they lab-based or non-lab-based
activities? Do they contribute to the Science Understanding and Science Enquiry
components of the curriculum as well? Do you think you have the right mix of activities for
your class? Do you need help with designing or implementing any of these activities?