The Integration of Nature of Science in the New Secondary Physics, Chemistry, and Biology Curricula

Abstract

One of the important objectives of science education is to have scientifically literate society. Nature of science (NOS) is one of the aspects for raising scientifically literate individuals. In light of this aim, the analysis of new secondary science (physics, chemistry and biology curricula for 9-12 grades, 12 documents in total) curricula would provide valuable information both to related literature, the program developers, and textbook writers. With this aim in mind, in this research the objectives in the new secondary science curricula prepared in 2013 (biology, physics, and chemistry) were analyzed regarding how and to what extend the objectives reflected NOS. In this document analysis study, research group coded the all objectives in the curricula and realized that the number of the objectives highlighted NOS was inadequate. Additionally, some aspects of NOS (imagination and creativity in Science) were ignored. Implications were suggested with help of the results.