SCIENTISTS AND SOCIETY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27410, 24 July 1954, Page 2

SCIENTISTS AND SOCIETY

UNIVERSITY GROUP’S FORUM

DISCUSSION ON TEACHING IN SCHOOLS

Whether there should be more emphasis on science teaching in schools in an age when scientists have transformed society was one of the questions discussed by a forum on “Science and Society,” held by the Canterbury University College Scientific Society last evening. Other questions suggested that scientists needed special qualifications to engage in fission bomb control, politics, and policy-making, but most of the speakers agreed that although scientists had special knowledge their role should be advisory. Professor E. Percival said he thought all school pupils should know how the scientist worked, and the implications of discovery. This was not so that the housewife would know how a vacuum cleaner worked, but to give a wider outlook on mankind, and what had been accomplished. “The real issue is, how far should we go with science in the schools?” said Dr. H. N. Parton. “There are now more science options for pupils, and I favour these wider streams for advancement. But I think most university teachers would prefer young people to spend more time on general education at school, as specialised studies might later deny them opportunities.”

Mr W. Rosenberg said that scientific method and natural philosophy should be introduced at school. Beyond that pupils were likely to become tied up in specialities. All learning should be integrated, and after school that was sometimes difficult.