TY - JOUR

T1 - The Case for Natural History

AU - King, Heather

AU - Achiam, Marianne

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Fundamental knowledge of natural history is lacking in many western societies, as demonstrated by its absence in school science curricula. And yet to meet local and global challenges such as environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change, we need to better understand the living and non-living parts of the natural world. Many have argued passionately for an increased understanding of natural history; others have developed successful pedagogical programmes for applying a knowledge of natural history in environmental initiatives. In joining wider calls, we choose here to focus on the educational value afforded by understanding the epistemological bases of natural history and its particular forms of reasoning. We also briefly discuss the ways in which an education in natural history provides the foundation for environmental and social justice efforts that directly affect the lives of young people and their communities. We end by highlighting the ease by which natural history may be incorporated in learning opportunities both in and outside of the classroom.

AB - Fundamental knowledge of natural history is lacking in many western societies, as demonstrated by its absence in school science curricula. And yet to meet local and global challenges such as environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change, we need to better understand the living and non-living parts of the natural world. Many have argued passionately for an increased understanding of natural history; others have developed successful pedagogical programmes for applying a knowledge of natural history in environmental initiatives. In joining wider calls, we choose here to focus on the educational value afforded by understanding the epistemological bases of natural history and its particular forms of reasoning. We also briefly discuss the ways in which an education in natural history provides the foundation for environmental and social justice efforts that directly affect the lives of young people and their communities. We end by highlighting the ease by which natural history may be incorporated in learning opportunities both in and outside of the classroom.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - naturhistorie

KW - naturvidenskab

KW - naturfagsdidaktik

KW - læring, undervisning, pædagogisk filosofi, didaktik

KW - naturvidenskabelig metode

U2 - 10.1007/s11191-017-9880-8

DO - 10.1007/s11191-017-9880-8

M3 - Journal article

VL - 26

SP - 125

EP - 139

JO - Science & Education

JF - Science & Education

SN - 0926-7220

IS - 1-2

ER -