Explicit Nature of Science in the STS Contact Lens "big Eyes" Unit

Abstract

This paper aimed to explain Grade 11 students' view of nature of science (NOS) in the STS contact lens "big eyes" unit and explicit NOS. The STS contact lens "big eyes" provided students to learn about refraction, thin lens, eyes and vision through science technology and society (STS) approach and learning activities of explicit NOS. Participants included 15 Grade 11 students who study in Kaewsadet school, Kalasin, 2nd semester, academic year of 2011. Students' views of NOS were interpreted through students' responses in learning activities of explicit NOS, participant observation, journal writing, and interviewing. Students' responses were categorized regarding 8 aspects of NOS. These 8 aspects included (1) scientific knowledge demands evidences; (2) tentativeness of scientific knowledge; (3) laws and theories; (4) scientific methods (no universal scientific method); (5) subjective in that science is a human endeavor and investigations are conducted within the context of particular theoretical frameworks; (6) partly the product of inference, imagination, and creativity; (7) socially and culturally embedded (can be influenced by contextual factors outside of the scientific community); and (8) developed from a combination of observation and inferences. The paper will discuss students' views of NOS that were showed in explicit NOS activities of the STS contact lens "big eyes unit. This paper has implications for enhancing students' understanding of NOS in Thailand.