Science Education for Public Understanding Program (SEPUP): Issues-Oriented Science for Secondary Schools

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The Science Education for Public Understanding Program (SEPUP) will develop, field test nationally and publish two one-year courses: a more concrete course for middle school and a course emphasizing global issues for high school. The courses will stress issues-oriented science and the use of scientific evidence and risk-benefit analysis in making decisions. These courses will continue the emphasis of the Chemical Education for Public Understanding Program (CEPUP) on societal issues involving the use of chemicals and expand the scope of the program by dealing with other issues in life, earth and physical sciences and in technology. Eight new modules will cover many of the large themes of science proposed in Project 2061 along with issue-oriented themes such as evidence-based decision-making, uncertainty and controversy, science and social systems. Course materials will stress students as active participants in doing science with the goal of developing independent thinkers able to make evidence-based decisions about issues in science and technology. Materials will include a teacher's resource book, a student text, projects and extension activities, kits videotapes and software. Assessment of student learning is built into the materials.