6.7 STS Curriculum Examples

STS curriculum materials are becoming a prominent feature in the science curriculum landscape. Since the early 1980s, the number of projects devoted to developing STS curriculum materials has increased, and are readily available. In this section several STS curriculum modules, courses of study, and teacher resource books will be reviewed.

STS Evaluation Criteria

The curriculum materials presented here have a number of characteristics in common. These characteristics are the criteria for evaluating STS materials established by a Task Force of the S-STS (Science through Science Technology Society). According to the SSTS Task Force, the following criteria constitute the characteristics of STS modules and courses of study:

1. Societal Relevance

  • The relations of technological or scientific developments to societally-relevant issues are made clearly to capture attention.

2. Relate STS

  • The influence and effect of technology, science and science on each other are presented.
    •

    3. Self & Society

  • The material develops learners' understanding of themselves as interdependent members of society and society as a responsible agent within the ecosystem of nature.
    •

    4. Balance of Views

  • A balanced treatment of differing viewpoints about the issues are presented without author bias.
    •

    5. Broadens Interest

  • The material helps students go beyond specific subject matter to broaden considerations of STS, which include a treatment of personal and societal values/ethics.
    •

    6. Decision-skills

  • The material engages students in problem solving and decision making skills.
    •

    7. Suggested Action

  • The material encourages learners to become involved in a societal or personal course of action.
    •

    8. Introduces Some Science or Qualification

  • The STS material helps students develop understanding in a least one areas of science, and of using qualification as a basis for making judgements.
    •

    STS materials should help students make connection or linkages with other disciplines as shown in the STS Connection diagram. The STS Connection diagram can be used to help you highlight linkages as you examine curriculum materials, and as you develop your own modules.