Introduction

Abstract

The History, Theory, and Methods of Research section of the International Handbook of Research on Multicultural Science Education includes historical perspectives on multicultural science education, a very broad theoretical approach, and on methodological approaches in multicultural science education. The history of education can be viewed as a study of the past that concentrates on learning and teaching issues. These include education systems, institutions, theories, themes, and other related phenomena. The history of a subfield can chronicle the derivation of the subfield and how the subfield became acceptable in the major field. In this case, this chapter chronicles the beginnings and the battles fought to make multicultural science education acceptable and a part of the discourse in science education. The past is closely connected to the present and the later shapes the future. The history of multicultural science education encompasses philosophical, sociological, comparative, administrative, curricular, and other issues in this subfield of science education. However, the question remains should multicultural science education be a subfield of science education or be interwoven into the science education fabric.KeywordsMulticultural Science EducationHistory of Multicultural Science EducationBrief History of Multicultural EducationTheory and Methods in Multicultural Science Education