From: Clint Vize 15/11/2001 19:30:16 Subject: Definition of Science post id: 497938 Alternative definition of Science: An observation of "things" so as to explain in a compicated way how they work, that results in maybe even being able to build new things!! From: Zardoz ® 15/11/2001 19:34:06 Subject: re: Definition of Science post id: 497943 WHAT IS SCIENCE. Definition and Rationale Science is a dynamic, collaborative human activity that uses distinctive ways of valuing, thinking and working to understand natural phenomena. Science is based on people’s aspirations and motivations to follow their curiosity and wonder about the physical, biological and technological world. Scientific knowledge represents the constructions made by people endeavouring to explain their observations of the world around them. Scientific explanations are built in different ways as people pursue intuitive and imaginative ideas, respond in a rational way to hunches, guesses and chance events, challenge attitudes of the time, and generate solutions to problems. As a result of these endeavours, people can use their scientific understandings with confidence in their daily lives. Science has many methods of investigation, but all are based on the notion that some form of evidence is the basis for defensible conclusions. Because scientific explanations are open to scrutiny, much scientific knowledge is tentative and is continually refined in the light of new evidence. The quest to construct coherent, tested, public and useful scientific knowledge requires people in their scientific undertakings to be creative and open to new ideas, to be intellectually honest, to evaluate arguments with scepticism, and to conduct their work in ways which are ethical, fair and respectful of others. Science is part of human experience and has relevance for everyone. All people can experience the joy and excitement of knowing about and understanding the world in which they live. A knowledge of science enables them to value the systems and processes that support life on our planet, and to take a responsible role in using science and its applications in their daily lives. Through science people are able to develop a sense of place. They recognise that people from different backgrounds and cultures have different ways of experiencing and interpreting their environment, so there is a diversity of world views associated with science and scientific knowledge which should be welcomed, valued and respected in science education. Learning about science enables students to explore the organisation and structure of the social, economic, political and technological world. They learn how science and technology are inter-related, and how their applications shape the way humans live. They analyse the pressures and processes which determine the priorities for research and the direction and development of science and technology. They become aware that the promised benefits of research should improve the quality of life and be shared as widely as possible. Science education empowers students to be questioning, reflective and critical thinkers. It does this by giving them particular ways of looking at the world and by emphasising the importance of evidence in forming conclusions. Science education develops students’ confidence to initiate and manage change to meet personal, vocational and societal needs. Science education assists students to be active citizens by providing the understandings they need to be informed contributors to debates about sensitive, moral, ethical and environmental issues. An appreciation of scientific knowledge, processes and values has the potential to help students build a more productive and ecologically-sustainable environment. It is important that students in Australian schools appreciate and understand how the study of science presents them with opportunities for responsible decision making in their local, national and global communities. http://www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/pages/framework/framework09a.htm This forum is un-moderated. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual poster and not the ABC. The ABC reserves the right to remove offensive or inappropriate messages.