A Study On The Historical Analysis And Future Development Of Chinese Science Education

Science education, as a key part of school education, has become the focus of universal attentions. Especially in present scientific society, science education takes further more important roles than ever, which is closely connected with the development of science. Since 1980s, both developed and developing counties has adapted their science education to suit for the development of the era. Facing the global science educational reform waves, it becomes more urgent and essential for us to conduct research and investigation on science education.Based on modern science educational theory, the thesis researches concretely the development of science education through documental analysis and comparison, taking Chinese science education as a case, the largest educational system for science in developing countries. The research holds in two dimensions, vertically as well as horizontally. Vertically, taking the developing history of science education in China as a main thread, Chinese science education is divided into four stages with the boundary line of 1905, 1949 and 1978 and analyzes the connotations for the development of science education in each stage theoretically and historically. Rethinking the development of Chinese science education, clearly, Chinese science education is backwarded and hi a low level. In modern history of Chinese education, both hi higher education and in elementary and secondary education, science education is lack of its bases and has not formed consummated modes. Horizontally, the thesis researches reforming tendencies for science education in developed countries. Education for STS, with great concerns for the connections of science, technology and society, has gained the Universal influences and is regarded as the ideal approaches for students to have science education today. American 2061 Project shows the blueprint for educational reform of science, which maintains American's dominant position of the world in science when the Halley Comet visits the earth again. The Project is viewed as a bridge to future. These provide us with referential modes for science education.Based on the historical research, the thesis takes further analysis on the present situations and existing problems in developing science education in China and from the dimensions of cultural attitudes of scientism, society-orientated values, subject-based curriculum and "two-basics" specified theory towards science education, nonscientific methods in educational science and default spirit in science education. It is crucial to maintain an open mind and global visions in discussing the future development of science education in China and also necessary as well to use the experience of other countries for reference in seeking our own solutions. Therefore the thesis also puts forward some constructive suggestions and strategies to develop China's science education in the future through the approaches in identifying the value tendency for science education, reforming the curriculum of science education, emphasizing finding-out study, renewing evaluation system of science teaching and learning, cultivating students' scientific spirit and improving qualifications of teachers in science.