Some aspects of the problems of teaching about energy in school biology

Abstract

Consideration is given to the problems of teaching energy in relation to cell biology and ecological energetics in schools. Aspects of the understanding of the nature of energy shown by a sample of 17‐18‐year old pupils studying biology in a number of English schools were investigated. Simple written questions and subsequent oral discussion were used and it was found that there were important inconsistencies between the ideas concerning energy that are being put forward by biology teachers and physical science teachers in schools. It is therefore urged that efforts should be made to overcome this problem in the teaching of school biology, so that what is taught in biology is consistent with current thinking about the teaching of energy in physical science. Some principles are suggested for achieving this aim.