Why should we bother with science?

When a student asks us about the purpose of what we're teaching them what do we say? Do we believe that what we teach is genuinely useful? Do we think that by teaching science we have improved both career opportunities and the chances of lifelong engagement with science? Have we contributed to a student’s opportunity to trust that science provides a reliable description of the world, and that they can trust the science on which we rely for our health and wellbeing? Stemming from work for the ASE Policy Committee in this session we will explore range of perspectives which highlight that science is a vital part of the curriculum, and now more so than ever. We will go beyond a purely utilitarian justification for science, and we will explore importance of citizenship, curiosity and culture as all being significant reasons for the inclusion of science on the curriculum and in underpinning our teaching. We will draw from ideas from across a range of subjects, including the philosophy of science, the philosophy of education, and the history of science in making the case for science at the heart of our education system. The session should be of interest to teachers of science across all phases, teacher educators, and anyone who is interested in science education, and will provoke debate and help teachers think about curriculum design and their teaching of science.