Discussing the nature of science from episodes of the history of cosmology

Author(s)

Alexandre Bagdonas Henrique

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física (IF/SBI)
• Defense date: 2011-05-30

Examining board members

Cibelle Celestino Silva; Luis Carlos de Menezes; Antonio Augusto Passos Videira

• Advisor: Cibelle Celestino Silva

Abstract

In this research we studied some episodes in the history of cosmology in the twentieth century, seeking interesting episodes that allowed the discussion of certain aspects of nature of science explicitly in preservice teacher training. One objective of this research is to provide subsidies for teaching cosmology with a historical-philosophical approach, which is suggested by the PCN (National curricular parameters) in the theme \"Universe, Earth and Life.\" This proposal seeks to contribute to the introduction of contents of history and philosophy of science in teacher training courses and consequently in basic education. The episode chosen was the historical controversy between Big Bang and Steady State theory, which occurred during the second half of the twentieth century. Given the opportunity to consider religious influences on this controversy, we argue about the importance of discussing the relationship between science and religion in physics classes, using episodes in the history of cosmology as a motivating theme. We present three historical characters involved in the controversies of the cosmological decade 1950: Pope Pius XII, Fred Hoyle and Georges Lemaître, who wrote texts on relations between cosmology and religion. After this theoretical study was performed an implementation and evaluation of a didactic sequence during the course History of Science, the course \"Higher education in Sciences\", in the University of São Paulo, São Carlos campus. In this application, we investigate the feasibility of using the historical episodes studied as a way to discuss issues about the nature of science, as the existence of a scientific method and the question of the \"proof\" in cosmology. In addition, discussions have been undertaken on strategies for dealing with conflicts between science and religion classes for cosmology, based on the reading of texts written by characters in the history of cosmology. Survey data were collected using typical tools of qualitative research, in response to questionnaires, review of activities during lessons, and texts produced by students. From the analysis of these data, we consider that the proposed activities prove to be a good way to discuss the nature of science, since students could not only learn content of cosmology, but also reflect on differences and similarities between science and other ways of seeing the world. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/07928-0 - Discussing the nature of science from history of cosmology episodes
• Grantee: Alexandre Bagdonas Henrique
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master