Connecting Girls and Science: Constructivism, Feminism, and Science Education Reform (Ways of Knowing in Science and Math, 18)

Connecting Girls and Science shows readers the powerful results that can occur in secondary science classrooms when students' interest and curiosity about science are brought firmly to the center of the curriculum. In particular, author Elaine Howes demonstrates how girls can become more interested in learning science when such topics as pregnancy, childbirth, or sexism in science are included in classroom discussions. By listening to the concerns and interests of the students and using their input to help fashion a responsive science curriculum, Howes shows us how to reconnect students to science. Furthermore, ifnbsp; topics of particular interest to female students are stressed, Howes believes that it is not only possible to inspire girls to love science, but also to eradicate traditional gender divisions that may keep female students from pursuing careers in science. Shows The Positive Results That Can Occur In Secondary Science Classes When Student's Curiosity About Science Is Brought To The Centre Of The Curriculum. In Particular, It Demonstrates How Girls Can Become More Interested When Such Topics As Childbirth And Sexism In Science Are Included. Dual Influences: Where Science Education Reform And Feminism Converge -- Studying Prenatal Testing: Connection And Alienation -- To Be A Good Scientist: Objectivity And Empathy -- To Be A Good Scientist: Science And Social Responsibility -- Genuine Conversation Through Studying Bioethics -- Listening As Pedagogy And Research. Elaine V. Howes. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 155-162) And Index. Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 Dual Influences......Page 20 Studying Prenatal Testing......Page 51 To Be a Good Scientist......Page 78 Genuine Conversation Through Studying Bioethics......Page 124 Listening as Pedagogy and Research......Page 152 Notes......Page 162 References......Page 164 Index......Page 172 About the Author......Page 177