History of relativistic cosmology and controversies regarding the nature of science, contributions to science education

• Grant number: 13/02218-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: August 15, 2013
• End date: August 14, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Education - Specific topics in Education
• Principal Investigator: Joao Zanetic
• Grantee: Alexandre Bagdonas Henrique
• Supervisor: Alexei B. Kojevnikov
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of British Columbia, Vancouver (UBC), Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/07728-4 - Controversies on the nature of science in teaching and learning sequences about cosmology, BP.DR

Abstract

The aim of this project is to investigate the usefulness of history of science for science education, particularly how conflicting views on the nature of science can be tested, explored, and taught with the help of relevant historical case studies. We found a particularly revealing example in the case of relativistic cosmology, since the emergence of this branch of fundamental science, in the period between 1914 and 1945, affected and was influenced by a variety of very strong political, ideological, and religious issues. This example of important scientific development can be used to analyze contemporary controversies regarding whether science is neutral; if it reflects social, cultural and political values; whether the latter possibility leads to relativism regarding scientific knowledge or not. Studies concerning the history of cosmology also provide an effective method for explaining and illustrating these basic views and disagreements about the nature of science in science education. For this purpose, the project aims to provide materials that can be used on science teacher training courses and also teaching and learning sequences for high school physics students (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BAGDONAS, ALEXANDRE; KOJEVNIKOV, ALEXEI. Funny Origins of the Big Bang Theory. HISTORICAL STUDIES IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES, v. 51, n. 1, p. 87-137, FEB 2021. (13/02218-3)

ALEXANDRE BAGDONAS; JOÃO ZANETIC; IVÃ GURGEL. Quem descobriu a expansão do universo? Disputas de prioridade como forma de ensinar cosmologia com uso da história e filosofia da ciência. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Física, v. 39, n. 2, 2017-01-26. (13/02218-3)