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Science teaching 'back to front' Science teaching 'back to front'
(about 4 hours later)
The new GCSE science curriculum has been branded "soundbite science" which takes a back-to-front approach.The new GCSE science curriculum has been branded "soundbite science" which takes a back-to-front approach.
Sir Richard Sykes, rector of Imperial College London, is among the scientists to attack the core qualification, where pupils debate scientific issues.Sir Richard Sykes, rector of Imperial College London, is among the scientists to attack the core qualification, where pupils debate scientific issues.
"Science should inform the news agenda, not the other way round," he said in a report from the Institute of Ideas think tank. He warned a "dumbed down syllabus" may stop students who did not study the main science subjects individually from getting into good universities.
The Department for Education said the new GCSEs did involve academic rigour.The Department for Education said the new GCSEs did involve academic rigour.
Sir Richard wrote: "A science curriculum based on encouraging pupils to debate science in the news is taking a back-to-front approach". In recent years most pupils have studied a "combined science" double GCSE, rather than separate chemistry, physics and biology, which are largely confined to grammar and independent schools.
CORE: SCIENTIFIC LITERACY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Built around key concepts and "the nature of science and how it works":You and your genes The Earth in the UniverseFood matters Radiation and lifeMaterial choices Keeping healthyRadioactive materials Life on EarthAssessed through minimum 25% external exams and 25% coursework In recent years most pupils have studied a "combined science" double GCSE rather than separate chemistry, physics and biology, which are largely confined to grammar and independent schools. Scientific literacy
But from this September, most are taking a GCSE in "scientific literacy for the 21st Century" - covering issues including global warming and mobile phone technology.But from this September, most are taking a GCSE in "scientific literacy for the 21st Century" - covering issues including global warming and mobile phone technology.
The expectation is they will also do an Additional Science GCSE - either "general", with a more factual basis, or "applied", with a more practical focus.The expectation is they will also do an Additional Science GCSE - either "general", with a more factual basis, or "applied", with a more practical focus.
In a critical essay David Perks, head of physics at Graveney School, in London, describes this as a "dumbing down" of the subject. However, Sir Richard told BBC News: "If you wish to have a dumbed-down syllabus for the general population that's fine.
He argues it will not produce citizens with a greater understanding of scientific issues - not least because they will not have "a thorough grounding in the sciences". "But for those who really want to go on and study a subject in depth, and particularly go to a good university like Imperial, then they'll never get there unless they study the individual subjects and take A-levels in these individual subjects."
He suggests instead everyone should study separate chemistry, physics and biology. He believes the new GCSEs will make it harder for pupils from state schools to study science at top universities as science departments prefer more traditional courses.
News agenda
Sir Richard also wrote in a report from the Institute of Ideas think tank: "A science curriculum based on encouraging pupils to debate science in the news is taking a back-to-front approach."
He added: "Science should inform the news agenda, not the other way round."
CORE: SCIENTIFIC LITERACY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Built around key concepts and "the nature of science and how it works":You and your genes The Earth in the UniverseFood matters Radiation and lifeMaterial choices Keeping healthyRadioactive materials Life on EarthAssessed through minimum 25% external exams and 25% coursework
In a critical essay David Perks, head of physics at Graveney School, London, also describes the changes as a "dumbing down" of the subject.
He argues the new qualification will produce citizens without "a thorough grounding in the sciences" and suggests instead everyone should study separate chemistry, physics and biology.
'Politicians responsible''Politicians responsible'
Ethicist Baroness Mary Warnock added: "What counts as an issue to be debated in class is largely, as David Perks points out, dictated by the press.Ethicist Baroness Mary Warnock added: "What counts as an issue to be debated in class is largely, as David Perks points out, dictated by the press.
"Far too much teaching at school has already degenerated into this kind of debate, more suitable for the pub than the school room.""Far too much teaching at school has already degenerated into this kind of debate, more suitable for the pub than the school room."
Science writer Simon Singh blames politicians.Science writer Simon Singh blames politicians.
"Every politician responsible for education, science and industry over the past 20 years has allowed science education to decline miserably in terms of its mission to create new scientists.""Every politician responsible for education, science and industry over the past 20 years has allowed science education to decline miserably in terms of its mission to create new scientists."
But the Department for Education and Skills said the qualification would be academically rigorous while encouraging more young people to consider studying science post-16.But the Department for Education and Skills said the qualification would be academically rigorous while encouraging more young people to consider studying science post-16.
A spokesman said under the new programme pupils would study more than one science subject. A spokesman said under the new programme, pupils would study more than one science subject.
"We also propose to establish co-operation between schools, colleges and universities by 2008, so that every child who wishes to choose to study the three separate sciences will be able to do so," he said."We also propose to establish co-operation between schools, colleges and universities by 2008, so that every child who wishes to choose to study the three separate sciences will be able to do so," he said.