Abstract
Abstract: The inclusion of Socio-scientific issues in the Science Classroom provides an ideal framework from which
teachers can explore the cultural and ethical perspectives of science that are core features of the Australian Curriculum
and other international science programs. Although some attempt has been made to understand cultural differences in
students’ attitudes towards issues in biotechnology, there is limited research about the differences that exist between
students who identify with one of the Christian worldviews and those students who do not. Questionnaire results from
177 senior secondary students (16-18 year olds) across three independent Christian secondary schools in Australia were
used to gather quantitative data about students’ religious beliefs, with specific reference to Christian beliefs and practices,
as well as to their attitude about a range of biotechnological issues. Statistical methods were used to analyse the
associations between student’ religious worldview and attitudes towards biotechnology. Results demonstrated that
secondary students identified as having a Christian worldview had a more negative attitude towards biotechnology and
were more concerned about the use of technologies involving cloning, genetic screening, IVF, and the modification of
plants, animals and humans, than students who did not have a Christian worldview. By providing additional insight into
students’ attitudes towards biotechnology, this research can be used by educators to engage students who come from a
Christian cultural background with Socio-scientific issues in a manner that challenges and extends students’ thinking,
while remaining sensitive to their worldviews.
teachers can explore the cultural and ethical perspectives of science that are core features of the Australian Curriculum
and other international science programs. Although some attempt has been made to understand cultural differences in
students’ attitudes towards issues in biotechnology, there is limited research about the differences that exist between
students who identify with one of the Christian worldviews and those students who do not. Questionnaire results from
177 senior secondary students (16-18 year olds) across three independent Christian secondary schools in Australia were
used to gather quantitative data about students’ religious beliefs, with specific reference to Christian beliefs and practices,
as well as to their attitude about a range of biotechnological issues. Statistical methods were used to analyse the
associations between student’ religious worldview and attitudes towards biotechnology. Results demonstrated that
secondary students identified as having a Christian worldview had a more negative attitude towards biotechnology and
were more concerned about the use of technologies involving cloning, genetic screening, IVF, and the modification of
plants, animals and humans, than students who did not have a Christian worldview. By providing additional insight into
students’ attitudes towards biotechnology, this research can be used by educators to engage students who come from a
Christian cultural background with Socio-scientific issues in a manner that challenges and extends students’ thinking,
while remaining sensitive to their worldviews.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology Education |
| Editors | Rekha Koul, Yuli Rahmawati |
| Publisher | Curtin University of Technology |
| Pages | 375-382 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Nov 2016 |
| Event | 8th International Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology Education - Jakarta, Indonesia Duration: 21 Nov 2015 → 24 Nov 2015 Conference number: 8th |
Conference
| Conference | 8th International Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology Education |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | SMTE |
| Country/Territory | Indonesia |
| City | Jakarta |
| Period | 21/11/15 → 24/11/15 |