Progress and Challenges of Elementary Science Education in Korea

Abstract

Science and technology has been regarded as priorities to enhance national sovereignty, the economy, and international relationships in Korea. Under current economic uncertainties and labor market demands, the emphasis of scientific and technological innovations and problem-solving is evident and crucial such as the recent initiatives of STEM literacy. There are also concerns about the roles of science and technology to examine current challenges and ethical dilemmas in society such as the energy issues, global warming and climate change, ethics in biotechnology, and so forth. These expand the understanding of scientific literacy from conceptual knowledge and practical skills to citizenry responsibilities of science in society. Students’ critical thinking, decision making and problem solving in everyday and social problems became key components of scientific literacy. With the focus of scientific literacy for both the future economy and citizenship, the Korean government strives to enhance science education in schools through developing an effective science curriculum, teaching resources and materials, assessment strategies, enhancing classroom environments, and reforming educational policies. In this chapter, we introduce how science as one of the core courses in the Korean education system has been developed, supported, and practiced in schools and classrooms. We discuss the overview of Korean education system in national and international contexts, students’ achievements in international assessments such as TIMSS, the development of the elementary science curriculum, teacher education programs, assessment practices, and some pedagogical issues and future challenges in elementary science education in Korea.