INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING PHYSICAL SCIENCE - UNIT 1

1. Unit -1
INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING
PHYSICAL SCIENCE MEANING AND
NATURE OF SCIENCE
SILPA S. CHUNGATH
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

2. “The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.” –
-Edward Teller

3. The word science comes from the Latin word " Scientia "
which means knowledge. The term science is etymologically
synonymous with knowledge. It does not imply that all
knowledge is science. Science is knowledge acquired in a
particular way. So science is truth and search for truth
Science is the world of modern age. It is an inseparable
part of modern life. What is special about science? Why do we
teach science in a school ? Why do we teach them in the name
of science? These are the basic questions to be answered by
science teachers.

4. ● Science is a human activity.
● Human beings are curious by nature.
● The curiosity of man unveils the mysteries of nature.
● With the highly developed mind man can observe precisely,
correlate the results of observations meaningfully and predict
future happenings logically.
● This ability has helped human beings to intelligently adjust to
nature.
● They explore and change the physical world according to their
requirement.
● So science is a compound of curiosity , observation and thought.

5. Science is viewed by the common man as a body of scientific
information. To a scientist, it is the method by which
hypotheses are tested. But to a philosopher it is a way of
questioning truthfulness of knowledge.

6. “To learn science is to do science and there is no other way of learning
science”.
-Dr. D.S. Kothari
“Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.”
-Carl Sagan
“Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for
knowledge.” –
-Stephen Hawking
DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE

7. Literal sense:
● Science means the pursuit of knowledge
● Science is a heap of truth
● Science is a verb as well as a noun
● Science is a way of Investigation
● Science is a systematic body of knowledge
● Science is the interpretation of the natural phenomenon
● Science is nothing but trained and organised common sense

8. THREE FOLD NATURE OF SCIENCE
Science is
A Body Of Knowledge
A Method Of Inquiry, A Way
Of Investigation
An Attitude Towards Life

9. THREE FOLD NATURE OF SCIENCE…………………
Science As A Body Of Knowledge
Science has been characterized as a body of knowledge obtained by
scientists. This body of knowledge includes facts, concepts and theories
that are subject to errors and change. Various type of scientific
knowledge exist in the form of (a) facts,(b) concepts, principles and
laws,(c) hypothesis & (d) theories.
Scientifically literate person should be able to discern between that which
is supported by evidence and that which is speculative; the person
should also be conscious of the ever changing nature of science.

10. The idea of Science as a body of accumulated knowledge
is true. However Science is dynamic in nature-the changes
taking place are both substantial and peripheral. Scientific
information is being constantly rearranged and reoriented in
the light of latest dynamic development. Thus the dynamic
nature of science should be made clear to the students to
enable them to use this knowledge in their daily life. A science
teacher should stress the dynamic nature of changes that take
place. Scientific information is constantly being rearranged in
the light of knowledge.

11. Having an accurate concept of the nature of scientific
knowledge the students develop a positive attitude
towards this discipline. Science never proves anything in
absolute sense. It accumulates data by observation and
measurement.

12. Science As A Method Of Inquiry
According to Karl Pearson, the scientific method involves
the following six step
❏ Identification of the problem.
❏ Gathering observations relevant to the problem on
hand.
❏ Statement of hypothesis based on observations
gathered.

13. ❏ Testable predictions of other related observable
phenomena are developed from hypotheses.
❏ The hypothesis is tested through observation.
❏ As a result of empirical observation, the hypothesis is
supported rejected and modified

14. What is scientific method?
The Scientific method is a process with the help of
which scientists try to investigate, verify, or
construct an accurate and reliable version of any
natural phenomena. They are done by creating an
objective framework for the purpose of scientific
inquiry and analysing the results scientifically to
come to a conclusion that either supports or
contradicts the observation made at the
beginning.

15. Science teachers should emphasize to the students
that scientists do approach the solution of any
specific problem in an organised manner. While
the steps defined by Pearson are helpful guidelines
in solving a problem, true scientists solve problems
with inspiration, imagination and insights.

16. Investigation approaches could include exploring and
observing, pattern seeking, investigating models, classifying
and identifying, and fair testing. Discover a range of
scientific approaches – select a label for videos and more
information to support your understanding.

17. Science As An Attitude Towards Life
Science can also be regarded as an attitude of life.The acquisition of a
scientific attitude is one of the most important outcomes of science. A
person with scientific attitude will have the following characteristics
● Open mindedness
● Objectivity
● Freedom from belief in superstition
● Belief in cause-effect relationship

18. ● Accuracy and truthfulness in reporting observations
● Methodical way of solving problems on hand
● Up-to-date address
● Respect for other people's opinion, though you may
not agree with them

19. ● Ability to distinguish between scientific
evidence and scientific proof
● Ability to discern between fact and fiction
● Curious to know more about things around
him wants to know what,why and how of
things he observes

21. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING PHYSICAL
SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS
❏ To know about the facts and principles of Physical science
and its applications.
❏ To acquire the skills and understand the methods of
processes that lead to the generation and validation of
scientific knowledge.
❏ To develop a historical and developmental perspective of
Physical science.
❏ To relate Physical science education to the environment.

22. ❏ To acquire the requisite theoretical knowledge and
practical technical skills to enter the world of work.
❏ To nurture the natural curiosity, aesthetic sense, and
creativity in science and technology.
❏ To imbibe the values of honesty, integrity,
cooperation, concern for life, and preservation of the
environment.
❏ To cultivate scientific temper, objectivity, and critical
thinking.

23. OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING PHYSICAL SCIENCE IN
SCHOOLS
1. To develop the power of observation
2. To develop good character
3. To develop a habit of personal, family, and society cleanliness
4. To develop a scientific outlook
5. To develop a practical outlook
6. To develop the skill of manipulation

24. IMPLICATIONS OF THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AS
SCIENCE TEACHER
The science teacher has a challenging job of actively
involving her students, so that the nature of science
pervades the instruction.
Science as a body of knowledge, a way of
investigating and as a way of thinking should be
stressed in science teaching activities- projects,
demonstration assignments and others.

25. The teacher should stress the historical and
developmental aspects of science as well as
the cultural aspects from time to time.

26. VALUES AND FUNCTIONS OF TEACHING SCIENCE
➢ INTELLECTUAL FUNCTION
➢ DISCIPLINARY FUNCTION
➢ UTILITARIAN FUNCTION
➢ RECREATIONAL FUNCTION
➢ AESTHETIC VALUE
➢ MORAL VALUE
➢ SOCIAL FUNCTION
➢ CULTURAL FUNCTION

27. INTELLECTUAL
FUNCTION
Intellectual Honesty
Unbiased Attitude
Systematic And Efficient
Solve Problems
Sharp Intelligence
Logical Thinking

28. DISCIPLINARY FUNCTION
❏ Accurate and unbiased observation
❏ clear and vigorous thinking, logical deduction ,exact
and accurate observation
❏ willingness to conduct careful and thorough
experiments
❏ Intelligent estimation of the reliability of research

29. ❏ The classification, evaluation and logical interpretation
of data so obtained
❏ Formulation of a clear thinking and reasoning of a
hypothesis from sufficient number of search results
❏ The testing of of this hypothesis by further results
leading to further advance in knowledge

30. UTILITARIAN FUNCTION
This is the age of Science and Technology and the role of
science in our daily affairs are innumerable. According to
Sir Edward Salisbury, science today has come to play an
increasingly important part in our everyday life and an
appreciation of its significance, of its findings, of its major
trends of its proper use of appliances are essential to the
welfare of individuals in the present and the human race
in future.

31. ● We use the applications of science
every movement
● The usefulness of science is evident
in our daily activities
● The food we eat , the shelter,
transport, medicines ,communication
learning are possible only through
science
● A person becomes a good citizen only
when he uses scientific knowledge
with wisdom
● Thus science is highly useful in
everyday life.

32. RECREATIONAL FUNCTION
Recreation for refreshing of the
body and mind, especially during
leisure hours is an important
factor in modern life education.

33. ❏ Science helps us to be creative with various
activities.
❏ It helps us to spend our time effectively with
entertainments.
❏ The sports, games and all other recreational
means have scientific base.
❏ It provided various hobbies to spend time
usefully.
❏ Science motivates us to create good values
and attitudes towards leisure.

34. The intelligent adjustment to the
problems in the use of products of
Science and inventions depend
upon the extent to which they
appreciate the background from
which scientific principles come,
such as the story of Louis Pasteur
and his service to humanity, Edison
and the discovery of electrical lamps
etc

35. ➔ photography, gardening,
➔ radio assembling,
➔ collections of specimens,
➔ bird study,
➔ nature study

36. AESTHETIC VALUE
Aesthetics of science is the study of
beauty and matters of taste within
the scientific endeavour. Aesthetic
features like simplicity, elegance and
symmetry are sources of wonder and
awe for many scientists, thus
motivating scientific pursuit.

37. MORAL VALUE
❏ Science is actually a search for truth.
❏ Truth is the base of all moral principles. Science helps
individual to move away from false beliefs, biased
observation, wrong judgments and inappropriate decisions.
❏ Science reveals the danger of many fields so that we can
protect ourselves from its harms.
❏ Thus science leads us to become morally integrated
individuals. Science makes our life systematic and
disciplined.

38. SOCIAL FUNCTION
➢ Science is of great value to society from the
very beginning.
➢ Science has helped a child to become a
useful citizen.
➢ Today's society stands on pillars of
scientific techniques and knowledge.
➢ All our social activities depend on science.

39. ➢ Science has provided easy and effective means of
transportation and communication, led to increased
agricultural and industrial production, sophisticated
medical and space research etc.
➢ With these advancements the society has
progressively changed in all dimensions.
➢ Thus, science has been functioning as an instrument
for social change.

40. CULTURAL FUNCTION
➔ The culture is a product of science.
➔ The developments of culture are due to the
advancement in the field of science.
➔ Our beliefs, values attitudes and behaviour
determines our culture, but this is decided by the
lifestyle we possess.

41. ➔ The lifestyle is influenced by the scientific
developments.
➔ The dress pattern, the food habits, entertainments,
housing, money management etc. are influenced
by science and thus it becomes our culture.

42. Scientific Aptitude
Aptitude is defined as a 'pronounced
innate capacity for or ability in a given
field such as a particular art, school
subject or vocation'.
An aptitude refers to an individual's
inborn capacities or potentialities
which are indicative of some special
abilities.

43. A natural ability to do specific task something.
Aptitudes are natural talents or inclinations for
certain types of activities.
Right aptitude of a person, in any specific field
indicates his ability of having & developing, acquiring
skills in that particular field.

44. Aptitude is a combination of characteristics
indicative of individual's capacity to acquire some
specific knowledge, skill or set of organized
responses. Aptitude refers to those qualities
characterizing person's way of behavior which
serve to indicate how well he can learn to meet
and solve certain specified kind of problems.
★ Inborn tendencies
★ Future reference and predict degree of
attainment
★ Concerned with the present condition

45. Scientific aptitude is the inherent ability (in the field of
science) which helps in acquiring required skills and
proficiency in the field science.
The proficiency in scientific process skills, in learning
science and hereditary background are some of
determinants of scientific aptitude. These characteristics
include mental activity, creative abilities, capacities for
critical thinking, ability to see relationships, suspended
judgement, and open-mindedness.