Some Comments on Primary Science from Outside the East Asian Region

Abstract

This chapter offers commentary on the East Asian authors’ contributions from the perspective of a primary science educator working in England. Reference is made to the international surveys of science performance, to which all contributors refer to some extent. Although the overall results are exceptionally positive for the East Asian region, occasionally outstandingly so, nevertheless, it is suggested that in dynamic systems, feedback needs to be used formatively, to reveal areas worthy of further attention and resourcing. Some such issues are identified and discussed, not as criticisms but as reflections on possibilities for yet further development and improvement. The comments reflect the author’s personal experience and interests, including the ambition to extend science education to younger age groups and earlier attention to be given to the development of the epistemic aspect of science education.