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Scientists in the Classroom

The Cold War Reconstruction of American Science Education

  • Book
  • © 2002

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Authors:
  1. John L. Rudolph
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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
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  2. Introduction

    • John L. Rudolph
    Pages 1-8

  3. Ideology and Education

    • John L. Rudolph
    Pages 9-31

  4. The State of Science in America

    • John L. Rudolph
    Pages 33-55

  5. NSF, Education, And National Security

    • John L. Rudolph
    Pages 57-81

  6. Wartime Techniques for Cold War Education

    • John L. Rudolph
    Pages 83-111

  7. PSSC: Engineering Rationality

    • John L. Rudolph
    Pages 113-136

  8. BSCS: Science and Social Progress

    • John L. Rudolph
    Pages 137-164

  9. Science/Education Transformed

    • John L. Rudolph
    Pages 165-191

  10. Conclusion: Politics and the Scientific Image

    • John L. Rudolph
    Pages 193-199

  11. Back Matter

    Pages 201-262
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Keywords

About this book

During the 1950s, leading American scientists embarked on an unprecedented project to remake high school science education. Dissatisfaction with the 'soft' school curriculum of the time advocated by the professional education establishment, and concern over the growing technological sophistication of the Soviet Union, led government officials to encourage a handful of elite research scientists, fresh from their World War II successes, to revitalize the nations' science curricula. In Scientists in the Classroom , John L. Rudolph argues that the Cold War environment, long neglected in the history of education literature, is crucial to understanding both the reasons for the public acceptance of scientific authority in the field of education and the nature of the curriculum materials that were eventually produced. Drawing on a wealth of previously untapped resources from government and university archives, Rudolph focuses on the National Science Foundation-supported curriculum projects initiated in 1956. What the historical record reveals, according to Rudolph, is that these materials were designed not just to improve American science education, but to advance the professional interest of the American scientific community in the postwar period as well.

Reviews

'In this masterly study...he provides a much richer context for understanding the role of science in 20th century American culture. Highly recommended.' - Library Journal

'John L. Rudolph's compact, well-researched volume brings to light the intriguing history...' - Jessica Wang, American Historical Review

'For those interested in the relations between technology and culture, there is much to appreciate in this book.' - Amy C. Crumpton, Technology and Culture

'Rudolph has set a high standard in the scholarship of curriculum history...' - Alan W. Garrett, History of Education Quarterly

'His skilfully woven narrative is easy to read, and draws on an impressive array of unpublished, archival sources.' - David Kaiser, Science Education

About the author

JOHN L. RUDOLPH is Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin- Madison.

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