Ethics in Science
A Guide for Future Science
Teachers
Supported by:
ETHICS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM
Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership
College of Business Administration, CSULB
Ethics in Science
A Guide for Future Science
Teachers
Implemented in:
SCED 475, Science Teaching, K-8
Required course for Multiple Subject
Credential Program, CSULB
Ethics in Science
A Guide for Future Science
Teachers
Created by:
William J. Straits, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Science Education, CNSM, CSULB
Teaching Module Goal 1
Future primary grades teachers will learn
how to screen the children’s literature they
will use in their future classrooms for
messages of prejudice (i.e., those biased
against, race, gender, sexual preference,
etc.) and to seek texts that offer science rolemodels for students that include examples of
the great many women and people of color
that have and continue to contribute to
science.
Teaching Module Goal 2
Additionally, future upper-grades/middle
school teachers learn how to engage their
students in respectful discussion of
controversial science/social issues such as
stem cell research and global warming helping students to understand the
underlying the science processes and
different points of view regarding these
contemporary controversies
Teaching Module
Components
Discussing equity in science education Selecting appropriate children’s literature
Modeling a middle school activity - Engaging
children in considerations of ethics in
science.
Developing successful science ethics
instruction - Scaffolding for productive
student discussions.
Ethics in Science
A Guide for Future Science
Teachers
Module Component 1
Selecting Children’s Literature
Pre-read
Show cover of Shel Silverstein’s, The
Giving Tree. Ask, do any of you know this
book? If you do, write a few sentences
telling me what you think about it. If you
don’t know this book, write a few
sentences telling you what you expect
from this book.
Selecting Children’s Literature
Read aloud
Read using female voice for for female
character (tree) and age-specific, male
voice for male character (boy). Use
emotion to emphasize sadness in the
female character.
Selecting Children’s Literature
Post-read
Have teacher-candidates imagine that
they were a tree and write, from a tree’s
perspective, what they think about the
book.
Selecting Children’s Literature
After sharing in groups - convene
whole class discussion. Topics may
include:
Banned books
Society’s disregard for nature
Prejudice in children’s literature
etc.
Selecting Children’s Literature
Changes in textbooks - 1970 to today.
Today’s texts are much more inclusive
Teachers helped to bring about this
change.
Screening Children’s Literature
Screening Children’s Literature
Stereotypes
Tolkenism
Who’s doing what? Where?
Standards for success
Relationships - family/friends
Hero?
Loaded words
Adapted from:
http://www.birchlane.davis.ca.us/library/10quick.htm
Screening Children’s Literature
Most importantly think about your kids.
Does a book promote or hinder a
student’s connection to (science)
learning?
It is vitally important that students - ALL
STUDENTS - have science role
models.
Science Role Models
Divide class into 5 groups. Ask each
group to list as many scientists they
can think of who are:
African Americans
Latinos/Latinas
Pacific Islander/Asian Americans
Females
White Men
Science Role Models
Teachers must be and provide these
role models.
Model enthusiasm for science learning.
Use Children’s Literature to present
other role models.
Science Role Models
Read excerpts from, Girls Think of
Everything.
Exclude the name of the invention as you read.
Have students raise hand when they think they
know the invention.
“What do all of these inventors have in
common?”
They are all women, creative people, problemsolvers, etc.
Adapted from: Ansberry & Morgan, 2005
Ethics in Science
A Guide for Future Science
Teachers
Module Component 2
Engaging Students in
Considerations of Ethics in
Science
Host a Peanut Pageant
Each student is given a peanut, decorating
materials, and a “Contestant Fact Sheet.”
After “pageant” segue into exploration of the
anatomy of seeds.
“One of the most important parts of the seed is
the cotyledons. To see them you have to dissect
your peanut…”
Adapted from: Straits & Grizzard, 2007
What We Think Our Science Controversies
Create with your group members a
comprehensive list of ethical, science
issues that face our society today.
Then identify the top 5 issues that are
important for today’s your adolescents
to be thinking about.
Ethics in Science
Topics for Research
Testing on Animals
Which purposes are justified?
Education
Biomedical Research
Cosmetics
Which organisms may be used?
Plants vs. animals
Invertebrates vs.
vertebrates
Mammals vs. non-mammals
Other ethical issues in science
Cloning
Genetic profiling
Stem cell research
Genetically modified
organisms
Overpopulation
Pollution and waste
Deforestation
Gloabal warming
Alternative energy
Ethics in Science
Cross-Curricular Connections
Mathematics
Language Arts
Calculating the extent of
Debates
animal sacrifice for specific
Persuasive Writing
purposes
Letters to organizations,
Social Studies
corporations, and political
Historical context of animal
representatives
testing
Information Arts
Uses of animals in other
Research of ethical issue(s)
cultures
Critical and careful use of
Ethics as a cultural
Internet sources
phenomenon
Engaged Students
Samples of sixth grade
students’ written work
I decided to research products that I use
everyday to see if they animal test. Animal
testing costs over 136 billion dollars a year and
kills 25 to 50 billion animals also a year…. The
product I use most is Crest toothpaste made by
Procter and Gamble…. I found that most of all
Procter and Gamble products are animal
tested…. After I researched the products I use I
think I will change some of the products I use
and I am now inspired to make a change and
help stop animal testing. I now strongly disagree
with animal testing and dissection for all
purposes except for medical use. I never really
paid attention to the products that I buy and
animal testing until now.
The fact is that we kill millions of plants,
animals, and organisms every day. By
breathing you are killing microscopic
organisms that float in the air. If you walk
outside you are probably going to step on a
blade of grass, an insect, or on countless
other things. The sad truth is that we can not
live without killing something. Which is worse
to kill a bug by stepping on it, or to kill a
bunny, so that you could make a scientific
breakthrough, that could save millions of
lives? It all depends on where you draw the
line.
I for one think that the “treat others how
you wish to be treated” statement applies
to humans and animals alike. I also believe
it is wrong to kill or harm animals just for
the sake of our own beauty…. The next
time you buy something make sure you are
not paying for animals to be hurt.
Remember you have the power to stop it.
You can go with the flow and not think
twice or you can save lives. Their fate is in
your hands. You decide between life or...
Death.
Do you care?
Ethics in Science
A Guide for Future Science
Teachers
Module Component 3
Science & Ethics Discussions
Strategies
Resources
Topics
Science & Ethics Discussions
Case Study Approach
Sex and Vaccination, Zavrel & Herreid
2008
Reading/Discussion Worksheet
How to Have a Successful Science and
Ethics Discussion, Chowning 2005
Strategies for leading discussions
Interrupted Case Method
Gather information, respond to questions,
engage in discussion
Get more information, additional questions, and
further discussion, etc.
Structured Controversy
Gather information, make case for/against an
issue
Switch roles, present case against/for the issue
Role Play
play the role of a stakeholder in a:
Panel Discussion
Mock Court
Key Components
Background Information
Multiple Perspectives
Protocols for Discussion
Meaningful Follow-up
Nat’l Science Teachers Assn.
Journals
The Science Teacher
Journal of College Science Teaching
Books
Clones, Cats, and Chemicals
Start with a Story
Decisions Based on Science
Events-based Curricula
Oil Spill
Earthquake
And several others
Other Resources
Online
www.bioethics.net
www.onlineethics.org
Woodrow Wilson Biology Institute
Biological Sciences Curriculum Study
In the News
At the Movies
Our Science Controversies
Energy
Health
Environment
Sex/Reproduction
ENERGY
Solar Energy
Hybrid Vehicles
Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear Development
Energy Conservation
Nuclear Waste
HEALTH
Drug use
Organic Foods
Euthanasia
Obesity
Smoking
Cure for Cancer
AIDS
ENVIRONMENT
Pesticides
Deforestation
Water Conservation
Global Warming
Habitat Protection
Greenhouse Effect
Pollution
Reduce, Reuse, and
Recycle
SEX/REPRODUCTION
In vitro fertilization
STDs
Genetic Screening
Fertility Treatments
Stem Cells
Cloning
Abortion
Ethics in Science
A Guide for Future Science
Teachers
Module Evaluation
Evaluation of Ethics Module
Pre/Post survey
During the 1st and 14th weeks of the
semester students were asked:
Describe the criteria you might use in
selecting children’s literature to
incorporate into your science instruction.
Which topics are important to include in
the K-8 science curriculum?
Evaluation of Ethics Module
Pre-instruction survey
No students offered considerations of prejudice
as a criteria for reviewing children’s literature
Post-instruction survey
9 (of 22) students added consideration of
“[Teachers should] make sure [selected children’s
books] are inclusive of all cultures and gender.”
“Diverse people [should be represented] in [selected
children’s] books.”
“[A teacher should] look for literature that illustrates
multi-cultural kids.”
Evaluation of Ethics Module
Pre-instruction survey
No students stated that contemporary, ethical/
controversial science topics were important to
include in the K-8 science curriculum.
Post-instruction survey
10 (of 22) students included contemporary,
controversial science topics. Such as:
“Ethical issues that are grade appropriate.”
“Energy conservation, Global warming”
Ethics in Science
A Guide for Future Science
Teachers
Module Resources
References
Ansberry, K. R. & Morgan, E. (2005). Brainstorms:
From Idea to Invention. In, Picture Perfect Science
Lessons: Using Children’s Books to Guide Inquiry.
(pp. 279-293). Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.
Chowning, J. T. (2005). How to have a successful
science and ethics discussion. The Science
Teacher, 72(8), 46-50.
Straits, W. & Grizzard, G. (2007). The Peanut
Pageant: Engaging Students in Contemporary
Science Controversies. The Green Teacher, 81,
10-13.
Zavrel, E. & Herreid, C. F. (2008). Sex and
Vaccination. Journal of College Science Teaching,
74-78.
Resources
Clarkeburn, H. Downe, J. R. & Matthew, B. (2002). Impact of
an ethics programme in a life science curriculum. Teaching
in Higher Education, 7(1), 65-79.
Pirofski, K. I. (2001). Race, gender, and disability in today’s
children’s literature. Retrived Oct. 30, 2008, from EdChange
Multicultural Pavillion Web site: http://www.edchange.org
multicultural/papers/literature2.html
The National Academy of Engineering (2006). Part 1:
Creating Your Own Ethics-in-Science Lessons. Retrived Oct.
27, 2008, from http://www.onlineethics.org/ CMS/edu/
precol/ scienceclass/lessonplans/part1.aspx
Zeidler, D. L., Sadler, T. D., & Howes, E. V. (2005). Beyond
STS: A research-based framework for socioscientific issues
in education. Science Education, 89(3), 357-377.
Additional Websites
www.nabt.org
www.nsta.org
www.csulb.edu/colleges/cba/ucel/
www.onlineethics.org
library.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/case.html
www.nwabr.org
www.bioethics.net
bioethics.georgetown.edu/hsbioethics
Children’s Literature
Utilized in Module
Silverstein, S. (1964). The Giving Tree. New York,
NY: Harper Collins.
Thimmesh, C. (2002). Girls Think of Everything:
Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women. New
York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.
Thank you
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