Dr Dorothy Smith (Education, La Trobe University) on transforming the science curriculum. Science is seen as a necessary part of school education for all students but Australian students are turning away from studying science, and have been for at least twenty years. Most recommendations for fixing this situation focus on teaching better, and don’t consider the substantial changes in science, society and the relationship between science and society that have happened over the past decades. We need a different type of science education in schools, one that encourages an attitude of productive social engagement with science.

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