What is science? What is the purpose of science education? Should we be training scientists, or looking towards a greater public understanding of science? In this exciting text, some of the key figures in the fields of science and science education address this debate. Their contributions form an original dialogue on science education and the gener

List of contributors, Foreword, SCIENCE, PEOPLE AND SCHOOLS: AN INTRINSIC CONFLICT?, Part I. Views and conflicts, 1. IN PRAISE OF SCIENCE, 2. A CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO SCIENCE PUNDITRY, 3. VISIONS OF EMBATTLED SCIENCE, 4. SCIENCE WARS: MY ENEMY'S ENEMY IS-ONLY PERHAPS-MY FRIEND, Part II. Democracy and the curriculum, 5. INTEREST IN SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY: SOME THOUGHTS, 6. SCIENCE OF THE TIMES: A 2020 VISION OF EDUCATION, 7. SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY: WHAT CAN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM ACHIEVE?, 8. DEMOCRACY AND EXPERTISE: THE CASE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Part III. Science for all?, 9. SCHOOL SCIENCE AND ITS PROBLEMS WITH SCIENTIFIC LITERACY, 10. TOWARDS A FUNCTIONAL PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE, 11. SCHOOL SCIENCE AND THE FUTURE OF SCIENTIFIC CULTURE, 12. INFORMED AMBIVALENCE: CHANGING ATTITUDES TO THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE, Part IV. Scientists and the public, 13. FROM BIG BANG TO DAMP SQUIB?, 14. SCIENCE THROUGH PLAY, 15. SHARING SCIENCE, References