BHA: Top scientists and science educators in primary curriculum call to Ed Balls
Twenty-six of the UK’s top scientists and science educators including among them three Nobel laureates; Richard Dawkins, former professor for the public understanding of science at the University of Oxford; TV presenter Adam Hart Davis; and science education experts James Williams and Revd Professor Michael Reiss, have called on the government to make vital changes to the new science curriculum proposed for primary schools in England.
The new curriculum, which has been proposed by a government commissioned review, was put out to a public consultation which closed last week. The government will now consider the responses made and make final decisions about the content of the curriculum in the autumn.
A joint letter has been written to Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which seeks a number of changes, including that the curriculum should cover evolution and natural selection and that it should make reference to the sense of fulfillment that the scientific endeavour can inspire and the use of science in equipping pupils to engage in important public discussions about scientific issues.
The letter was organised by the British Humanist Association, which promotes a rounded curriculum including good science education as part of its educational mission.
Andrew Copson, BHA Director of Education, said, “Science is not only key to understanding the world around us, but it is also vital for democratic citizenship. Without an understanding of key concepts people can not properly engage with public debates around the scientific and technological topics which will directly affect their lives. The primary curriculum needs to prepare children for this reality.”
Commented specifically on the question of evolution, Mr Copson said, ‘The wealth of colourful and engaging resources that explain evolution and natural selection to under 11 year olds demonstrates how easily children of this age can be introduced to these important scientific concepts. It is in no way too early an age at which to do that, especially when so much of popular culture conditions young children into a way of thinking that is not scientific. In fact, it is vital that children build understanding of these concepts early so that they can form a sure foundation for greater scientific understanding later in the curriculum.’
“The curriculum currently being drafted will apply for years to come so it is vital that this long-standing omission of evolution is corrected now.”
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