The Power and Limits of Science
This thought provoking and engaging workshop arose out of a research project in collaboration with Reading University Institute of Education and Christchurch College Canterbury
The activities are designed to encourage participants to think about the sorts of questions which can, and cannot be fully addressed using purely scientific arguments. It gets past purely scientific discussion and addresses the nature of science itself.
The introductory section examines what science is and what it is not, putting this in an historical context
Then the in group-work session the students develop a representation of the group's opinion on a range of questions
This is followed by group feedback/plenary discussions and debate
The essence of this workshop has been incorporated in to a classroom guide and published in this book►
Feedback
"My favourite thing was how he discussed the history of the development of science and debates to be had between science being unstoppable, and the shortcomings of science throughout history ..."
"I was expecting a pure science based lecture but liked that he allowed us to see that science forms most of our everyday lives and is not a strictly academic subject."
" ... very interesting, informative and really different. I would say my favourite thing was considering all the various questions for the future in our groups and don't think anything needed improving."
Outcomes
Used successfully with Year 12, undergraduates, postgraduates, and groups of adults
Develop awareness that some questions are more amenable to scientific methods than others