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Science educators generally accept that the nature of science (NOS) should have a prominent place in school science curricula. This study highlights the special opportunity offered by the history of science (HOS) as a context for teaching NOS, by revealing HOS instructors' perspectives. We collected data from 15 instructors at 11 institutions who teach a HOS class as part of a national science and math teacher preparation program. This resulted in multiple case studies and interesting cross-case conclusions. The results show several aspects of NOS that these instructors focused on in addition to HOS goals, accompanied by a variety of different approaches to including NOS. Few of the instructors believed that NOS should be the primary focus of a HOS class or that it should be taught explicitly; most instructors reported a belief that preservice teachers will learn about NOS as a natural outcome of a HOS class.

This phenomenological study aimed to develop a framework integrating play into preschool curriculum based on educators' lived experiences using play-based methods. Fifteen educators from 12 centers were interviewed using theoretical sampling. Data analysis revealed nine pathways linking play types, educator roles, and learning objectives. Results culminated in a comprehensive framework elucidating how educators actualize educational goals through play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing students' understanding of aspects of the nature of science (NOS) recommended by the science education community is an important goal of science instruction. This can occur only when teachers are adequately prepared for teaching NOS. However, the science education community is still considering what is needed to enhance the efficiency of NOS instruction with respect to the preparation of NOS teachers. Based on a qualitative meta-synthesis of recent literature (2009-2018), we propose a framework of competencies for what teachers need to know to be an effective NOS instructor. Fifty-eight peer-reviewed journal articles targeting NOS instruction for, and related classroom practices of, preservice and inservice teachers were analyzed. This evaluation resulted in the identification of 20 specific competencies clustered in seven categories deemed necessary in the support of effective NOS instruction, generally divided into those that are NOS specific and those directed at more general pedagogical issues. These include (1) general NOS knowledge, (2) subject matter knowledge, (3) knowledge of learners with respect to NOS, (4) knowledge about NOS instructional strategies, (5) knowledge about NOS assessment, (6) general pedagogical knowledge, and (7) teachers' motivations and beliefs about teaching NOS. The proposed competencies can be used as a guide for science educators preparing teachers who, in turn, are able to demonstrate NOS competencies and enhance the quality and depth of their students' learning.

This multiple-case study examined the rationales and instructional strategies for teaching history of science (HOS) of 16 instructors of a history of science course for undergraduate preservice teachers in the USA. Based on instructor syllabi, instructional materials, and instructor interviews, we conducted single-case and cross-case analyses to identify why they teach HOS (rationales), how they teach HOS (instructional strategies), and what possible relationships might underlie instructor rationales and their instructional strategy choices for teaching HOS. We found 10 rationales in three overarching categories (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) and 9 active-learning instructional strategies. Moreover, we found that instructors with skills rationales implemented active-learning instructional strategies, whereas instructors who only cited knowledge rationales relied only on lectures and reading discussions. We discuss implications and recommendations for the design of HOS courses.

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the inclusion of aspects of nature of science (NOS) in the "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS). In this new standards document, NOS elements in eight categories are discussed in Appendix H along with illustrative statements (called exemplars). Many, but not all, of these exemplars are linked to the standards by their association with either the "practices of science" or "crosscutting concepts," but curiously not with the recommendations for science content. The study investigated all aspects of NOS in NGSS including the accuracy and inclusion of the supporting exemplar statements and the relationship of NOS in NGSS to other aspects of NOS to support teaching and learning science. We found that while 92% of these exemplars are acceptable, only 78% of those written actually appear with the standards. "Science as a way of knowing" is a recommended NOS category in NGSS but is not included with the standards. Also, several other NOS elements fail to be included at all grade levels thus limiting their impact. Finally, NGSS fails to include or insufficiently emphasize several frequently recommended NOS elements such as creativity and subjectivity. The paper concludes with a list of concerns and solutions to the challenges of NOS in NGSS.