Sensitive/Controversial Topics in Science Education (USA)

Controversial Topic (CT) Definition “Issues that deeply divide a society, that generate conflicting explanations and solutions based on alternative value systems, are considered controversial” (Harwood & Hahn, 1990). “Controversial issues are important policies or proposals on which conflicting views are held by large numbers of people in schools, community and nation” (The School District of Philadelphia, 1990)

Identified Earth System Controversial Topics in Science Education (USA) NESTA Survey of Earth and Space Science Teachers about Needs/Concerns Controversial Topic% Feeling Difficulty or Pressure from Parents, Students, Administrators, or Other Community Members Evolution (see Buxton & Provenzo, pp ) 68% Age of the Earth47% Climate Change43% Solar System Formation 22% Planetary Formation13% There were 275 respondents to this survey (Johnson, 2011).

Teaching Strategies For Sensitive/CTs “Most strategies for teaching students about values issues during the 1970s and 1980s followed the same basic rule: Present the students with the dilemma, give them rational processes for thinking through the dilemma, but do not try to impose your own values on them” (DoBoer, 1991, p. 181).

Teaching Strategies for Sensitive/CTs Begin by teaching relevant science content, then discuss related policy or economic issues, and end by having students explore their own personal stances (Kirk, 2011). Provide students with “solid background information, multiple perspectives, guidelines for discussing issues as a group, substantive discussion questions, and strong follow-up” (Cannard, 2005, p. 15).

Teaching Strategies for Sensitive/CTs Focus on using the scientific practice of using evidence to support knowledge claims (Duschl, 1990; Kelly & Takao, 2002). Have students analyze the scientific data themselves (McGinnis, Hestness & Riedinger, 2011; Kirk, 2011).

Sample Sensitive Topic: Global Climate Change Next Generation Science Standards - First national science standards document to include the topic of global climate change Example performance standard: CodeStandardClarification Statement and Assessment Boundary MS-ESS3-5 Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century. Examples of factors include human activities (such as fossil fuel combustion, cement production, and agricultural activity) and natural processes (such as changes in incoming solar radiation or volcanic activity). Examples of evidence can include tables, graphs, and maps of global and regional temperatures, atmospheric levels of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, and the rates of human activities. Emphasis is on the major role that human activities play in causing the rise in global temperatures.

Global Warming’s “Six Americas”

This presentation was designed by the MADE CLEAR Learning Sciences Research Team at the University of Maryland, College Park ( This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.