Unit – 1.1: Science: Definition, Aims and Objectives
1. Definition of Science:
- The term "Science" originates from the Latin word Scientia, meaning "knowledge".
- Science is a systematic, organized, and evidence-based methodology for investigating and studying the natural world. It involves acquiring knowledge of facts, theories, and laws through observations, experiments, and logical reasoning.
- In simple terms: Science is the structured approach to understanding natural phenomena around us (e.g., how rain occurs, plants grow, or lightning strikes), predicting their behavior, and uncovering their causes.
Definition of Science According to Authors/Scholars
Isaac Asimov (1984):
- "Science is a systematic method of acquiring knowledge about the universe through verifiable observations and testable explanations."
- (Source: Asimov, I. "A Short History of Science." Doubleday, 1984.)
Karl Popper (1959):
- "Science is the practice of falsifiable hypotheses. A theory is scientific only if it can be proven false through experimentation or observation."
- (Source: Popper, K. "The Logic of Scientific Discovery." Routledge, 1959.)
National Research Council (NRC), USA (1996):
- "Science is both a body of knowledge and an evidence-based process of discovery, characterized by testable explanations and predictions about the natural world."
- (Source: NRC. "National Science Education Standards." National Academies Press, 1996.)
Albert Einstein:
- "Science is the attempt to make the chaotic diversity of our sense-experience correspond to a logically uniform system of thought."
- (Source: Einstein, A. "Ideas and Opinions." Crown Publishers, 1954.)
Indian NCERT (2013):
- "Science is a dynamic, iterative process of observing nature, formulating hypotheses, and refining knowledge through experimentation and peer review."
- (Source: NCERT. "Position Paper on Teaching of Science." New Delhi, 2013.)
2. Aims of Science:
Aims are broad, long-term goals of science education. They define the overarching purpose of teaching science:
- Developing understanding of the natural world: Cultivating curiosity and comprehension of the natural environment.
- Expanding the repository of scientific knowledge: Advancing human knowledge through new facts, theories, and discoveries.
- Fostering a scientific attitude: Promoting rational thinking, open-mindedness, objectivity, healthy skepticism, intellectual honesty, and respect for evidence.
- Enabling scientific problem-solving: Equipping learners to apply the scientific method to address daily life challenges (e.g., diseases, environmental crises).
- Understanding the Science-Technology-Society (STS) nexus: Analyzing how scientific advancements influence technology and society, and vice versa.
3. Objectives of Science:
Objectives are specific, measurable, short-term outcomes that help achieve the broader aims. They outline expected learning outcomes in classrooms:
a) Cognitive Objectives (Knowing):
- Acquiring knowledge of scientific facts, concepts, theories, and laws.
- Understanding and correctly using scientific terminology.
- Learning about key scientific discoveries and contributions of scientists.
b) Understanding Objectives (Comprehending):
- Grasping scientific principles and applying them to real-world situations.
- Analyzing cause-effect relationships.
- Interpreting and critically evaluating scientific information.
c) Skill-Based Objectives (Doing):
- Observation Skills: Noting details accurately.
- Classification Skills: Categorizing objects/facts based on properties.
- Measurement Skills: Using scientific tools (thermometer, scale, etc.) correctly.
- Hypothesizing: Formulating testable predictions based on observations.
- Experimental Skills: Designing safe experiments, collecting/recording data, and analyzing results.
- Inferring: Drawing logical conclusions from evidence.
- Communication Skills: Presenting findings via reports, charts, graphs, or presentations.
d) Affective/Value-Based Objectives (Valuing):
- Nurturing interest and a positive attitude toward science.
- Appreciating honesty, precision, and ethics in scientific work.
- Developing environmental awareness and conservation ethics.
- Recognizing the societal and ethical implications of scientific progress.
Summary:
- Definition: Science is a systematic, evidence-based process to study nature and acquire knowledge.
- Aims: Broad goals – e.g., understanding nature, cultivating scientific attitudes, solving problems.
- Objectives: Specific outcomes – e.g., gaining knowledge, developing skills, fostering values.
Core Purpose: Science education aims not to memorize facts but to develop scientific temper, spirit of inquiry, and critical thinking, empowering learners to become responsible citizens and lifelong inquirers.
Question
Section A: Short Answer (Recall & Understanding)
- Define science in one sentence.
- State the two Hindi terms for "Aims and Objectives" of science. (उद्देश्य और लक्ष्य)
- List any two broad aims of science education.
- Name the Latin root word for "science" and its meaning.
- Identify two key components of the scientific method.
Section B: Application & Analysis
- Distinguish between Aims and Objectives of science with examples.
- Explain how "developing scientific attitude" (वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोण) helps solve real-life problems.
Classify the following as Knowledge/Skill/Attitude-based objective:
"Students will record data using a thermometer accurately."- "Students will appreciate the role of science in environmental conservation."
- Why is "evidence-based investigation" central to science? Relate it to the definition.
- Analyze how "hypothesizing" (परिकल्पना निर्माण) bridges observation and experimentation.
Section C: Critical Thinking (Evaluation & Creation)
- Critically evaluate: "Memorizing scientific facts is enough to achieve the aims of science."
- Design a classroom activity targeting the skill-based objective of "classification" (वर्गीकरण कौशल).
- Propose how studying the "STS nexus" (विज्ञान-प्रौद्योगिकी-समाज संबंध) addresses global challenges like climate change.
- Justify the inclusion of "affective objectives" (भावात्मक लक्ष्य) in science education.
- Create a Venn diagram comparing Aims vs. Objectives of science.
Question Bank for Teachers
- For Group Discussion:
"Can science exist without objectives? Debate how aims provide direction while objectives enable measurable outcomes."
- Case Study:
"A student uses scientific reasoning to test homemade remedies for plant growth. Map her actions to the objectives of science."