How do secondary science texts cover mathematics and engineering principles and design?

Abstract

Textbooks are the primary source of information for secondary teachers and students in learning science. We examined 13 new edition middle school and high school textbooks in earth science, life science, physical science, biology, chemistry and physics to determine how they addressed the following three research questions: 1. Do the science textbooks use science conceptual knowledge and mathematical applications to make applications and connections to society? 2. Do the science textbooks use the science and/or mathematical knowledge in technological applications? 3. Are any applications of engineering principles and design included in the laboratory activities and the problems and questions within and at the end of the chapters? Six older edition science textbooks were compared to the newer textbooks for length and use of mathematics. The results indicate that the newer texts do a good job in addressing questions one and two but fall short on question three. Furthermore, even though the older science textbooks are generally much shorter, they contain more applications and problems in mathematics.