Scientific Literacy and the Teacher Development Gap: Karplus’ Challenge

Overview

The late 1950’s witnessed the beginning of two revolutions, one in science with the launch of the first space satellite, and the other in education with the launch of a major paradigm shift in the teaching of elementary science. The two were intimately connected. The Soviet Union’s dramatic launch of a satellite prompted politicians, educators, and scientists to focus on the lack of a scientifically literate public in the United States and its implications for national security and scientific prowess. The challenge was how to create a scientifically literate population in the shortest possible span of time.

Karplus, at that time an internationally recognized physicist, was quickly drawn to the center of the educational revolution. As the father of seven children he had become extremely interested in education. Ultimately it was Karplus who led the way in transforming the elementary school science curriculum in terms of content, process and pedagogy. For over 20 years he passionately pursued the question of what scientifically literate people in the 20th century need to know, and how educators can help them to know it.