Valuable Lessons - Engaging with the Social Context of Science in Schools

This document presents the executive summary and findings of a report which was carried out by a team from the Institute of Education, University of London, for the Wellcome Trust and published in 2001. It investigates how, and in which curriculum subjects, controversies arising from bioscience are tackled in schools and colleges in England and Wales. The aims of the research were to highlight good practice, identify institutional obstacles, and find ways of enhancing young people’s experience of science education, preparing them to engage confidently with the issues that they are likely to face in the future.

The report uncovers details about how biosciences are covered in the classroom and the differences in approach by sciences and humanities teachers to discussion of social and ethical issues. It is stressed that all teachers - science, humanities and PCHSE - should have access to appropriate cross-curricular teaching resources.