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The Materiality of Scientific Instruments and Why It Might Matter to Science Education

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Material Practice and Materiality: Too Long Ignored in Science Education

Part of the book series: Cultural Studies of Science Education ((CSSE,volume 18))

Abstract

The issue I explore in this chapter began with my decision to investigate the history of how science came to know about the relationship between boiling point of water and air pressure (Milne C. Creating stories from history of science to problematize scientific practice: a case study of boiling points, air pressure, and thermometers. Paper presented at the twelfth biennial international history, philosophy and science teaching (IHPST) conference, University of Pittsburgh, PA, June 19–22, 2013). My studies into the history of this relationship led me to realize how much I had taken an instrument, the humble thermometer, for granted. This experience led me to realize that a focus on conceptual elements of science with an emphasis on theory development can seduce educators into ignoring the cultural affordances of the material practice of scientific instruments. I explore the question of why there is so little attention given to understanding the role of instruments in the construction of knowledge, especially in science education.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Catherine Milne

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  1. Catherine Milne
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Correspondence to Catherine Milne .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Catherine Milne

  2. University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA

    Kathryn Scantlebury

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Milne, C. (2019). The Materiality of Scientific Instruments and Why It Might Matter to Science Education. In: Milne, C., Scantlebury, K. (eds) Material Practice and Materiality: Too Long Ignored in Science Education. Cultural Studies of Science Education, vol 18. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01974-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01974-7_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-01973-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-01974-7

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