BASIC CONCEPTS OF MICROSCIENCE

TOWARDS SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ALL

• A small-scale way of doing science.

• Lower costs

• Greater safety

• Less time

• More convenient

• Easier integration with theory

• Answers from the Kenya Ministry of Education

Secondary Education Syllabus for Physics, Chemistry and Biology

(Kenya Institute of Education, 2002)

• The teacher of Physics is challenged to make the subject more appealing through experimental approach …

• This syllabus presents chemistry as a practical subject where scientific concepts, principles and skills are developed through experimental investigations.

• Sufficient practical activities have been suggested...should be taught alongside the respective content rather than being a separate entity. (Biology)

• select and use appropriate instruments to carry out measurements in the physical environment (physics)

• observe and appreciate the need for safety precautions during experimental investigations (chemistry)

• design and carry out experiments and projects that will enable them to understand biological concepts (biology)

Providing practical science for all

requires

• Financial resources

• Human resources

Microscience is lower cost due to:

• Small size of equipment

• Use of plastics instead of glass

• Less breakages

• Less chemicals used (1-10%)

• No mains electricity or gas required

• No laboratory and less storage space

In-Service Training needed because they:

o Are inexperienced in managing prac work

o See prac work as separate from theory

o Don’t understand what doing science means

o Are inexperienced in learner-centred methodologies

o Were trained to use traditional equipment and lab and believe these are necessary

Initial training should: Anticipate probable classroom situation

Develop relevant management skills

Develop concern for safety and environment

Encourage integration of theory with hands-on experimentation

Establish the main aims of practical work

(Woolnough & Allsop)

• Motivation

• Developing practical skills

• Learning the scientific approach

• Gaining a better understanding of theoretical aspects of the subject

• Microscience is the more cost-

effective way of achieving all the aims

• Microscience is more sustainable

• Microscience

encourages teachers to change from instructors to educators

• Microscience helps learners change from being trainees to being scientists