The Association for Science Education ASE announced on its website a summary of the initiative Cultural Understanding through Science Project (CUSP) in which FSTC is involved.Do you need ideas and resources to help you teach one of the new Key Concepts (Cultural Understanding) in the Key Stage 3 Programme of Study for Science (from Sept 2008)? Cultural Understanding is "Recognising that modern science has its roots in many different societies and cultures, and draws on a variety of valid approaches to scientific practice."
ASE has been working with the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation and with support from QCA to develop, trial and evaluate teaching materials to help teachers with this new part of the Programme of Study.
We have developed colourful and innovative resources including City 1250. In this activity, students watch a short film (approx 7 mins) in which 4 teenagers discuss their forthcoming year on the (fictional) reality TV show City 1250. Each teenager tells of their worries about living in a reconstructed city in the Islamic world in the year 1250.
Students then use the resources provided to discover how the science and technology of the time addresses each of the teenagers' worries. They learn about the advances of Muslim scientists in eight vital fields, and consider how their work influenced future scientists.
Click here for the City 1250 Teachers Notes.
Downloadable City 1250 Student worksheets.
Have a look also at the 1001 Inventions project for downloadable teaching resources and information on wider aspects of the Muslim historical development of science.
For further information please contact karenshoebottom@ase.org.uk
