method of science in the middle of the century, The

School Science and Mathematics, Nov 2001 by Oliver, J Steve, Nichols, B Kim

Within a few issues there were more articles in SSM dealing with the use of the scientific method. One notable example was Aaron J. Ihde's article titled "Learning the Scientific Method Through the Historical Approach" (Vol. 53, No. 8). The approach was certainly interesting, but it melded into so many other articles written on the subject that "teaching to accomplish the scientific method" became everything to everyone. There was so much written on the subject, that one could find articles to support any perspective one had on the use of scientific method.

Teaching to accomplish the scientific method is the kind of concept that finds a place within any reform effort. There is little argument about its importance, but there is no agreement about its definition. So in the years since 1953, articles have continued to be written on a regular basis about how the scientific method or the nature of science should provide focus and foundation to the science curriculum at all levels. And yet the science educators of today, as then, do not feel that the accomplishments of past scholars or practitioners in science education have captured the essence of this concept and, thus, the effort continues. It is perhaps the fate of science educators that the facts, concepts, and theories making up the knowledge base of science are to be bonded by an ever-elusive relationship to the methodology and processes from which the knowledge arose. And then perhaps the resolution is just around the corner. Either way and fortunately, the stream of articles and scholarship will continue.

References

Aptekar, D. (1945). Can science courses be taught scientifically? School Science and Mathematics, 45(1), 33-36.

Compton, C. A. (1953). On the scientific method. School Science and Mathematics, 53(5), 372-374.

Gruenberg, B. C. (1947). Dilemmas of the science teacher. School Science and Mathematics, 47(5), 398.

Hass, H. B. (1946). Objectives of science teaching. School Science and Mathematics, 46(1), 47-50.

Heath, R. W. (1964). New curricula. New York: Harper and Row.

Ihde, A. J. (1953). Learning the scientific method through the historical approach. School Science and Mathematics, 53(8), 637-643.

Julian, P. L. (1948). Today's science and our basic philosophies. School Science and Mathematics, 48(4), 302-307.

Lowenstein, N. (1948). What is scientific method? School Science and Mathematics, 48(5), 388-398.

McMullen, H. G. (1948). Teaching scientific method in the junior high school. School Science and Mathematics, 48(6), 459-468.

Mork, G. M. A. (1947). The scientific method as a teaching procedure. School Science and Mathematics, 47(6), 526-530.

Samuelson, R. J. (1995). The good life and its discontents: The American dream in the age of entitlement. New York: Times Books.

J. Steve Oliver and B. Kim Nichols Section Editors

Editors' Note: J. Steve Oliver's and B. Kim Nichol's postal address is The University of Georgia, College of Education, 212 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA 30602-- 7126, and Steve's e-mail address is soliver@uga.cc.uga.edu.