Glossary

Cultural perspectives is the learning context that reflects a humanistic perspective which views teaching and learning as cultural transmission and acquisition.

Scientific inquiry is the learning context that reflects an emphasis on understanding the natural and constructed world using systematic empirical processes that lead to the formation of theories that explain observed events and that facilitate prediction.

Scientific literacy is an evolving combination of the knowledge of nature, skills, processes and attitudes students need to develop inquiry, problem-solving and decision-making abilities to become lifelong learners and to maintain a sense of wonder about and responsibility towards the natural and constructed world.

STSE decision making is the learning context that reflects the need to engage citizens in thinking about human and world issues through a scientific lens in order to inform and empower decision making by individuals, communities and society.

STSE, which stands for science, technology, society and the environment, is the foundation of scientific literacy that is concerned with understanding the scope and character of science, its connections to technology and the social context in which it is developed.

Technological problem solving is the learning context that reflects an emphasis on designing and building to solve practical human problems