Identifying Scientific Practices in a Science, Technology and Society Themed Workshop

Abstract

"Abstract: Recent international documents and educational standards have recommended Science Education be based on three dimensions (Scientific Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas). This has resulted in an increased interest in research involving Scientific Practices in Science Education. The objectives of this article are to: I) Identify the scientific practices that high school students engaged in during a thematic workshop; and II) Discuss the use of thematic workshops as an approach to promote Scientific Practices. The workshop was developed based on the Science, Tecnhology and Society approach and aimed at discussing the composition, properties and effectiveness of male contraceptives. The workshop was conducted in a public school in Southern Brazil and the workshop footage and student questionnaires were analyzed according to Content Analysis. Three transcriptions of classroom situations are presented to discuss the promotion of Scientific Practices in specific classroom contexts. The analyses show that students engaged in six of the eight Scientific Practices discussed by the National Research Council. The results contribute to international discussions on Scientific Practices and discussions regarding the use of thematic workshops as an approach to promote Scientific Practices. "