• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.419-429
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• 2003

The developments of science education until the middle of the 20th century were often driven by personal ideas and achievements of some influential individual scientists (e.g. T. H. Huxley, H. E. Armstrong. L. Hogben, J. Conant). while that of the 2nd half of the 20th century can be characterized as collective efforts through various research grou ps of science educators (e.g. PSSC, HPP, Nuffield, SATIS). In this respect, John Tyndall(1820-1894), a physicist of the Victorian England best known as Tyndall's Effect, can be considered as one of the great scientists who made a big influence on science teaching and the popularization of science before science secured its place in school curricula. Tyndall worked as a research scientist at the Royal Institution of London, where various lectures and demonstrations of physical sciences were regularly performed for general public, and he was particularly famous for his fascinating physics demonstrations. In this study, we summarize his activities and achievements as a teacher as well as a popularizer of physics, illustrate some of his famous demonstrations and his ideas concerning physics teaching and discuss their implications to today's physics education.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.970-990
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• 2002

This study examines how practical work in science was introduced in British schools and became an important part of school science activities during the second half of the 19th century. Firstly, the establishment of a national education system in Britain is reviewed. Secondly, a general development of school science teaching is summarized with a special attention to students' enrollment in science subjects. Thirdly, the practical work in elementary schools are discussed in relation to the introduction of Object Lessons in curriculum. Then, the situations of practical work in science in secondary schools, particularly in Organized Science Schools and some famous public schools, are illustrated. Finally, the overall development until present days is critically discussed in relation to the types and aims of practical work in science.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.38-58
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• 2001

This study aims to illustrate T. H. Huxley's life and activities as a pioneer of British school science education which have been relatively little known than other aspects of him (e.g. Darwin's Bulldog). Undoubtedly, Huxley was one of the great scientists of the Victorian era, but he was also an active reformer of scientific enterprises and school science education through his strong engagement in various governmental and non-governmental positions and through his talents of delivering speeches and of writing books. He joined as a member to various royal commissions (esp. Devonshire Commission), became a president of several important scientific societies (e.g. Royal Society, BAAS) and published many well known books (e.g. Science and Culture, Selected Essays). As a science educator, Huxley himself taught biology and physiology for thirty years and known as an excellent teacher, participated in several historical education reform activities (e.g. a member of Devonshire Commission and of London School Board), worked as a science teacher trainer and as a DSA science examiner for the improvement of the quality of science teaching, and wrote a number of textbooks (esp. Physiography, The Crayfish) for various levels of schooling including elementary and secondary, imprinted his new idea on science teaching. His great role as a pioneer of school science education followed by a more professional successor, Prof. H. E. Armstrong who was better equipped with a more theoretical framework on the activities of learning science.