Topic 3

The Concept of Science Education

Science education focuses on teaching, learning and undestanding
science. Teaching science involves exploring instructional theories and
models which helps the teachers teach scientific concept and process
them effectively. Understanding science includes developing and
applying science skills and using science literacy in understanding the natural world and
activities in everyday life.
John Dewey stated “ education and learning are social interactive processes, and thus
school itself is a social institution through which social refrom can and should take place”. It
means that curriculum should be relevant to students’ lives. He saw that learning by
doing and development of practical life skills are crucial to children’s education. He
emphasized that students should have the opportunity to take part in their own learning.
Timeline of Science Education in the Philippines

1901 1904 1935 1940 1950

A systematic “Science” was Science in the Science and In 1957 Science
school system first introduced Philippines was Mathematics became
was introduced by the again were least compulsory and
by the Americans introduced prioritized in became a part
Americans under the focusing on Philippine of the
subject Nature nature and Education curriculum of
Study health Grade 1 to
Grade 6

In the 1950’s concerned scientist were shouting their cause, that “Science
education was very inadequate”. Thus the Philippine Association for the
1957
Advance of Science held a conference with the goal to: (a) Train Science
Teacher and (b) Teach the importance of Science. A Bulletin No. 27 s. 1953
madates an assistance to teacher to do Science activities and Bulletin No. 15 s 1954
mandates construction of Science Laboratory in the Philippines was created, and finally in
1957, Science officially became compulsary and became a part of the curriculum of grade 1
to grade 6. This enabled children in their elementary years explore the world of Science.
R epublic Act No. 2067 which was approved on June 13,1958 was passed.
R.A 2067 an act to integrate, coordinate and intensify
1957
scientific and technological research and development and
to foster invention; to provide funds therfor; and for other
purposes. This is aslo known as the “ Science Act of 1958”.
What does this act tells us? It tells us that as provided by the Philippine constitution
is Section IV, Article XIV. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to promote
scientifc and technological research and development, foster invention, and utilize
scientific knowledge as an effective instrument for the promotion of national progress.
The following advancement in the science occurred in the 1960’s:
Science textbooks were printed and distributed by the United
States Operation Mission National Economic Council (USOM-NEC)
Project.
Adaptation of Biological Science Curriulum Study (BSCS) Green
Version.
Establishment of the Science Teaching Center at the Unversity of the Philippines.
The fist generation textbooks were developed by the UP Science Teacing Center
Educators from US, UK, Germany and Australia were consulted in this project
June 21, 1969 R.A. 5506 an act providing for the maintenance of the
science education center of the University of the Philippines and for
other purposes. The act declared a national policy to provide the fullest
support and assistance to science education in all levels of instruction in
the Philippines thrrough improved methods, teacher and materials.
Science Education in basic and tertiary education
Science education in basic science helops students learn important concepts and facts
tht are related to everyday life (Carale & Campo, 2003; Meador, 2005; Worth & Grollman,
2003). It includes important skills such as process skills, critical thinking skills and life
skills that are needed in coping up with daily life activities, develops positive attitudes such
as the love for knowledge, passion for innovative things, curiosity to study about nature and
creativity as well as the development of a strong foundation for studying science and for
considering science-related careers in the future (Chaille & Britain, 2002; Lind, 1997).
The science education in tertiary education deals with the development of students’
understanding and appreciation of science ideas and scientific works and focuses on the
preparation of science teachers, scientists, engineers, and other professionals in various
science-related fields like agriculture, medicine and health sciences.
In the field of science education, several science-related programs and projects were
created to develop scientific literacy which includes the following:
1. Special science class
2. Special science elementary school
3. Philippine Science High School System
Some institutions in the Philippines:
1. Summer Institute – they are institution that empowers and
inspires college and university instructors to transform
education through evidence-based teaching practices.
 2. Philippine Association of Science Teachers (PAST) – reviews science
teaching in the Philippines and improves skills of inquiry and creative
thinking.
3. Science Education Projects (SEP) – improves Science and Math
teachers, teachers, textbooks, and other materials.
4. Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – graduate studies that develops
science education.
First Science High School in the Philippines
Former President of the Philippine Ramon Magsaysay was the first to envision a
science High School on the Philippines in his 1956 State of the Nation address where he
underscored “the great need of stepping up the development of fundamental and applied
research in science and technology which has long been neglected”.
Taking into action R.A. 1606 an act to promote scientific, engineering, and
technological research, invention and development. It is an act that creates the National
Science Development Board to work in the Science Foundation in the Philippines in
advancing scientific and technological research. Science Act of 1958, R.A. 2067 which
proposed to integrate, coordinate, and intensify scientific and technological research and
development to foster invention.
1. Manila Science High School (MaSci)
MaSci is the first science high school in the Philippines, located on Taft Avenue Cor.
Padre Fauna Street, Ermita Manila founded in 1963. It was inspired by Bronx Science
High School in New York and offered a Special Science Curriculum (SSC).
2. Philippine Science High School (PSHS)
PhiSci was established in 1963 under R.A. 3661 which mandates the establishment of
the Philippine Science High School to offer scholarships on secondary education with
emphasis on science to prepare students for a science career. In 1964 PhiSci was
under DOST. At present there are 13 existing PSHS Campuses where its main
campus is in Agham Road Quezon City, Philippines. PSHS is among the top science
high school in ASEAN.
Other Science School in the Philippines
Special Science Elementary School (SSES) Project
SESS is a research and development project designed
to develop students with higher aptitude for science
and mathematics through the implementation of an
enhances science and mathematics curriculum at
the elementary level.
This project aims to produce scientifically literate students who will opt to be educated
 in special science high schools. The purpose of this study is to analyze the SESS
project and compare it with the regular elementary program. This project is under the
pursuance of DepEd Order No. 73 s. 2008 & DepEd No.51 s 2010, first batch with 57
identified participating elementary school June 2007 – 2008, followed by another 3
schools in region V were added since its inception. In SY 2011 – 2012, the program
was again expanded for batch 3 with additional of 5 schools in Region V.
Quezon City Regional Science High School
The Quezon City Regional Science High School
which was formerly known as Quezon City
Science High School was established on
September 17, 1967. It was appointed as the
Regional Science High School for National Capital
Region since 1998. The focus of the curriculum is
on science and technology. The school aims to serve as a venue of providing maximum
opportunities for science-gifted students to develop the spirit of inquiry and creativity. This
school is under the Department of Education and is supported by the Local Government Unit
and the Parents-Teacher Association (PTA).
Central Visayan Institute Foundation
It is the home and pioneer of the prominent school-based innovation known as the
Dynamic Learning Program (DLP), the DLP is the fusion of classical and modern
pedagogical theories adapted to foster the highest level of learning, creativity and
productivity.
The school takes pride in its Research Center for Theoretical Physics (RCTP)
established in 1992, which organizes small international workshops to foster the informal but
intense exchange of ideas and perspectives on outstanding problems in physics and
mathematics.
Its mission states that as an educational arm of the Central Visayan Institute
Foundation, the High School Department shall endeavour to equip each student with
necessary skills for future work and other studies. It shall develop and protect each
individual’s talent and innate creativity and guide each one towards the path of fullest
realization of potential and creative abilities. It shall instil to the youth a spirit of service to
country and love to God, above all.