In this inquiry activity you are going to find out what issues are emphasized in secondary science textbooks. To do this you will analyze one middle school/junior high or high school science textbook using a classification system of STS issues.
Materials
A secondary science textbook
Procedure
1. Look over the categories (based on a study by Rosenthal), D.B.) of STS issues in Figure 1 . The categories represent a comprehensive listing of STS issues. Analyze the text by identifying all the STS issues that are presented by studying the table of contents and the pages of the text. Indicate the number of pages devoted to the issue when identified. Illustrations count, just as the verbal text. Estimate the amount of space devoted to the issue on each page and record as l page, 1/2 page or 1/4 page.
STS
Issue Category STS
Issue in Textbook (Use
key words to identify the issue) Number
of Pages Devoted to Topic Percentage
of Total Pages in the Book. Total
Pages in Book ________ Nature of
Science---definitions, assumptions, aims of
science Social System of
Science---history, lives of scientists, science &
government, industry, public Human
Behavior---genetic, environmental factors, human
intelligence, behavior modification, theories of
development, ethical issues related to control of
behavior Population---growth,
overpopulation, problems in developing countries, control,
projections, population ethics Food Supply and
Agriculture---history, food production, scarcity, crops,
economics of food, ethics of food Human
Reproduction---aspects of human reproduction, sex
education, venereal diseases, reproductive control &
engineering, fetal rights Human
Genetics---traits and disorders, mutations, genetic
diagnosis, counseling & interventions, ethical
issues Human
Health---health and disease, causes of disease, health
care, aging, death & dying, health habits, world health
problems Evolution---origin
of life, evidence for evolution, theories of, application to
social theories, evolution vs creationism, population
genetics, human evolution Energy
Resources---sources, energy conservation, new sources,
economics of, energy policies, quality of life,
international politics and energy Environment---human
view of nature, effect of human activities on biosphere,
natural resources, pollution, endangered species, biological
& nuclear weapons Space Research/
Exploration---extra- terrestrial life, space stations,
colonization, planetary exploration, militarization of
space, effect of space exploration of view of human species
and the planet Totals
Minds On Strategies
1. In Rosenthal's study, the social system of science and evolution were the most commonly presented STS issues in biology textbooks. How do your results compare with Rosenthal's. You might want to read her study, and compare her results with yours. (D. B. Rosenthal, "Social Issues in High School Biology Textbooks, 1963-1983, "Journal of Research in Science Teaching 21, no. 8 (1984): 819-831.)
2. What categories are least presented in secondary science textbooks? You'll need to collaborate with others in your class to make this conclusion.
3. In examining biology, physical science and Earth science texts, what differences in the relative emphases of STS issues did you find?