On the Physical Science -A Study of the physical science at American high school-

Abstract

(The pourposes of the study) The major purposes are to investigate the historical development of physical science, to find out the objectives of its course, and to discover the principles of the Unit Organization. (The Procedure of the Study) The method and technique used a documentary analysis. (Definitions) The term "Physical Science" includes only the fields of physics (including astronomy and meteorology,) chemistry and geology. and "An integrated Physical Science" is one in which subject matter from the fields of physics, chemistry and geology is unified, and which is contributory to the development of an understanding of principles of Physical Science. (Major findings) The more pertinent findings discovered from the historical investigation of Physical Science are that (1) Physical Science, which is a fusion of Physics, Chemistry and other Physical Sciences, has come into the curriculum in many places in the last decade. There is at present too little evidence upon which to judge the effectiveness of this course, but its enrollment seems to be increasing each year. (2) The unified course in biological science in the senior high school is an accomplished fact, while the integrated course in physical science in the senior high school is only well started. (3) There has been a change in high school population, which today consists more nearly of all the children of all the people than of the few who plan to continue their academic training into college. As a result of this and other influences, there has been emphasis on general education, and has developed Physical Science. The major findings discovered from the objective investigation of Physical Science are that, (1) The newer course in Physical Science seems at present to have broken away from the objectives of Physics and Chemistry. In most places the course is taught for the values that it has for aiding young people in the adjustment to life problems. Another interesting trend in some of the courses in Physical Science is the emphasis placed on training in the abilities of problem-solving and in the development of desirable attitudes. (2) Many Physical Science courses are organized for nonscience majors, the course is planned to help the student to progress towards, ① Acquiring ability to think critically in problem-solving skills by understanding and using the scientific method. ② Understanding matter, motion and force as related to our universe and man's immediate environment. ③ Developing an understanding and an appreciation for certain fundamental concepts in mathematics as related to science and everyday living. ④ Understanding the concept of energy and man's methods of utilizing it to serve his purposes. ⑤ Developing an appreciation of the contributions which individual scientist have made to our civilization and society. (3) Some physical Science course will make an expert in scientific work. The major findings discovered from the investigation of the Unit organization are that (1) The first general type of physical science course was represented by the survey of science, in which the areas of the general field are presented in a series like the cards in a catalogue. Many of the pioneering Physical Science course were of this nature, and they took their departure from the organized presentations of materials in exsisting textbooks The second general type of Physical Science was not defined by pre-existing textbook content or the outlines of the special subjects, rather, the approach to selection of materials environmental, and was concerned with an analysis of problems encountered in the immediate community or the world community, and with the needs of students insofar as the latter could be identified. Clearly the second type of course was better adapted to implementation of the general education aim. (2) The unit organisation of physical science (View PDF for the rest of the abstract)