Transition in Elementary Science Education in Thuringia, a New State of Germany

Abstract

This research focused on the state of Thuringia, an area in the former East Germany, and it focused on changes in Elementary Science Education in the subject "Heimat- und Sachkunde" in an increasingly West Germanizing climate, by using the guidance manual of study instruction (1991), the provisional curriculum (1993), and the curriculum (1999). It would be hard to say that elementary science education in Thuringia has undergone dramatic changes, though there have been some changes. The following can be considered as reasons for this. First, even in the era of divided Germany, there were similarities in the elementary science education of East and West Germany. Second, questionnaires were issued to teachers, and the results were used to improve the classes. Moreover, the unification of Germany (1990) did not involve any severe criticism of science education in East Germany.