Ethical aspects of science teaching in Forms 1 and 2

Abstract

The increase of technological development and the rapid development of the life-sciences have brought up a considerable number of problems of ethical nature. Integrated science is the subject which brings together most of these controversial issues. This dissertation starts off by looking at various viewpoints and theories; as to whether students of Form 1 and Form 2 are able to handle such issues. I also emphasise the importance of integrating ethical issues with the integrated science syllabus in order to provide students with an all-round education in preparing for their future. It then continues by investigating, roughly, which of these issues are included in the science syllabus, from primary to secondary. It also highlights other ethical issues which would be included in the integrated science syllabus of Form 1 and Form 2. The results of interviews carried out with integrated science teachers, regarding the ethically sensitive issues in the teaching of the subject, are also included and analysed. The approach and teaching methods the teacher adopts could also raise conflicts in determining the type of values the pupils are going to acquire during the teaching of ethical issues in Form 1 and Form 2.