Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1961-08-22
Science Courses
Distorted Here
Fourth IN series on Study Group Reports

'FotHH w u SERIES on OtHdy group RepOftSl
Teaching methods and textbooks in Montgomery
County Schools dsortng' the basic objective of
science of understanding and explaining
natural phenomena according to special study group
on the science curriculum.
The group also found that many elementary
school science teachers need training and recon-
mended that this be accomplished through n-service
courses Institutes and sitter certfcaon re-
quirements.
In their report to the county's Curriculum Study
Committee members of the study group expressed con-
Germ over the distortion of the Image of science by
excessive emphasis on the dramatic events resulting
from the application of basic discoveries.
This is most apparent in the elementary and
junior high grades the group said. THUS finds
understandings in course guides such Science has
increased the longevity of man and Science wages
continual struggle against disease =. In reality,
knowledge gathered by scientists has been applied by
other scientists technologss socoogsts physicians
and ndustrialsts to increase the life span and to
troll disease"
The blame for this over-emphasis and distortion
was placed by the group on the coupling of science
with social studies. The two should be separated inn
mediately the group asserted and science as "ds-
cpline" should be taught much more clearly than at
present in the prehigh school grades.
At the same time, field trips should become
regular part of the science curriculum along with
intensive laboratory program, the group recon-
mended.
Although field trips recognized valuable
tool for teaching science, they seldom used' the
group said in the section of the report devoted to
elementary schools.
In junior high schools the study unit found in
adequate teaching of basic scientific principles.
Valuable time is still being spent on traditional
subjects such The Tools of Science The Contrbu-
tons of Scientists to Everyday Life and How Science
Changes Our Lives the group charged. "The stu
dent learns these things he studies and works in
science and there is little point in emphasizing the
obvious"
The group recommended that science be taught
to all junior high students instead of being limited to
the eighth grade, it is now; that field work be in
corporated in laboratory experience and that students
be grouped according to ability
High school courses should be expanded to in
cude psychology the study group stated should be
available elective and should include laboratory
work. the unit added
Also, additional microscopes should be made
available in biology classes, the group said pointing
out that laboratory facilities and equipment for this
course generally inadequate
In discussing teacher training, the study group
called for incentive in the form of $500 salary
increase at the bottom of the payscae and Several
thousands" more at the top. This would mean, the
group explained that talented" teacher with 10
more years of experience could and should
much as the schools principal"
Observers saw such proposal as encouraging
teachers to remain in the teaching profession instead
of switching to school administration where the sal
aries much higher.
The study group also pointed out that advanced
degrees in the sciences are difficult to obtain
than similar degrees in the field of education.
In this connection, the study group urged that
more courses in science be made available for teachers
taking advanced work.
Various circumstances now oblige them to study
too many educational courses" the study unit de-
clared.