The Place of Ethics in Science Education: Implications for Practice

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Science education, particularly school science education, has long had an uneasy relationship with ethics, being unsure whether to embrace ethics or leave it to others. In this book, the authors argue that while the methods of science and of ethics are very different, ethics plays a key role in how science is undertaken and used. And so, ethics has a central place in science education, whether we are talking of school science education, for students of all ages, or the informal science education that takes place in through the internet, books, magazines, TV and radio or in places such as hospitals and zoos. Written for science educators based in schools and elsewhere, the authors make no assumptions that the reader has any knowledge of ethics beyond the background understandings of morality that virtually all of us have. Empowered with the knowledge shared in this book, readers will feel confident about the place that ethics has in science education. The authors provide a rich array of examples as to how science education, both in school and out of school, and for all ages, can be enhanced through including teaching about ethics.

Reviews

An essential read for all science educators and researchers in order to develop an authentic understanding on the subject of ethics in science. This book by Amanda McCrory and Michael J. Reiss is a masterpiece that addresses the inclusion of ethics in science in both formal & informal settings which in itself speaks for its far-reaching impact. * Astha Saxena, Assistant Professor, Azim Premji University, India *
This book should be required reading for anyone who is preparing to teach science. Although science is said to seek objective knowledge, the practice of science is, and always has been, value-informed. A science education that excludes ethical considerations ignores how science is a human activity. * Keith Taber, Emeritus Professor of Science Education, University of Cambridge, UK *
A well-researched and well-argued brief for the importance of including ethics in science education, accompanied by thoughtful and informed suggestions for doing so. Theirs is a ground-breaking contribution. * Glenn Branch, Deputy Director, National Center for Science Education, USA *

Author Bio

Amanda McCrory is Lecturer in EYFS, Primary and Science Education at the UCL Institute of Education, University College London, UK, where she is also the lead for the Science Special Interest Research Group and a member of the UCL Institute of Education Ethics Review team. Michael J. Reiss is Professor of Science Education at the UCL Institute of Education, University College London, UK. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, a member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, and President of the Association for Science Education and of the International Society for Science and Religion.