Cultural Conflict
Part of Curriculum Unit:Multiculturalism in Science
Abstract help
Students visited a web site that lists the achievements of individuals from a minority
that have contributed to science and summarize the information on 9 individuals (3
each - meteorologist, geologist, astronaut).
Students searched the Internet for information on an individual from a minority
that has contributed to science. Students met in teams to discuss findings
and determine which individual to feature during an oral presentation to the class.
The presentation must have discussed the cultural background of the contributor and the
significance of various beliefs.
In this section, students will learn the following: Ellison S. Onizuka took along a few momentous on his first space flight: Kona Coffee
and macadamia nuts from the Hawaiian village where he was born and raised, a
Buddhist medallion given to him by his father who had instilled the values of patience,
hard work and dedication to duty. In the last activity, students will think about their own
culture and decide what three cultural artifacts they would take with them on their first
space mission.
that have contributed to science and summarize the information on 9 individuals (3
each - meteorologist, geologist, astronaut).
Students searched the Internet for information on an individual from a minority
that has contributed to science. Students met in teams to discuss findings
and determine which individual to feature during an oral presentation to the class.
The presentation must have discussed the cultural background of the contributor and the
significance of various beliefs.
In this section, students will learn the following: Ellison S. Onizuka took along a few momentous on his first space flight: Kona Coffee
and macadamia nuts from the Hawaiian village where he was born and raised, a
Buddhist medallion given to him by his father who had instilled the values of patience,
hard work and dedication to duty. In the last activity, students will think about their own
culture and decide what three cultural artifacts they would take with them on their first
space mission.
National Standards help
UNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Scientists in different disciplines ask different questions, use different methods
of investigation, and accept different types of evidence to support their
explanations. Many scientific investigations require the contributions of
individuals from different disciplines, including engineering. New disciplines of
science, such as geophysics and biochemistry often emerge at the interface of
two older disciplines.
Science often advances with the introduction of new technologies. Solving
technological problems often results in new scientific knowledge. New
technologies often extend the current levels of scientific understanding and
introduce new areas of research.
Creativity, imagination, and a good knowledge base are all required in the
work of science and engineering.
Science and technology are pursued for different purposes. Scientific inquiry is
driven by the desire to understand the natural world, and technological design
is driven by the need to meet human needs and solve human problems.
Technology, by its nature, has a more direct effect on society than science
because its purpose is to solve human problems, help humans adapt, and fulfill
human aspirations. Technological solutions may create new problems.
Science, by its nature, answers questions that may or may not directly influence
humans. Sometimes scientific advances challenge people's beliefs and
practical explanations concerning various aspects of the world.
Technological knowledge is often not made public because of patents and the
financial potential of the idea or invention. Scientific knowledge is made public
through presentations at professional meetings and publications in scientific
journals.
Scientists in different disciplines ask different questions, use different methods
of investigation, and accept different types of evidence to support their
explanations. Many scientific investigations require the contributions of
individuals from different disciplines, including engineering. New disciplines of
science, such as geophysics and biochemistry often emerge at the interface of
two older disciplines.
Science often advances with the introduction of new technologies. Solving
technological problems often results in new scientific knowledge. New
technologies often extend the current levels of scientific understanding and
introduce new areas of research.
Creativity, imagination, and a good knowledge base are all required in the
work of science and engineering.
Science and technology are pursued for different purposes. Scientific inquiry is
driven by the desire to understand the natural world, and technological design
is driven by the need to meet human needs and solve human problems.
Technology, by its nature, has a more direct effect on society than science
because its purpose is to solve human problems, help humans adapt, and fulfill
human aspirations. Technological solutions may create new problems.
Science, by its nature, answers questions that may or may not directly influence
humans. Sometimes scientific advances challenge people's beliefs and
practical explanations concerning various aspects of the world.
Technological knowledge is often not made public because of patents and the
financial potential of the idea or invention. Scientific knowledge is made public
through presentations at professional meetings and publications in scientific
journals.
Pre-requisite Skills help
Students should know how to conduct an Internet search and have basic word
processing abilities.
processing abilities.
Teacher Information help
Ellison S. Onizuka took along a few momentos on his first space flight: Kona Coffee and macadamia nuts from the Hawaiian village where he was born and raised, a Buddhist medallion given to him by his father who had instilled the values of patience, hard work and dedication to duty. Students should think about their own culture and decide what three cultural artifacts they would take with them on their first space mission. The items that students select should not provide entertainment - such as CD players meant to provide only entertainment - but should be items that carry special meaning. The entire class could come together to share artifacts.
Student Activity help
Students should work individually to develop a list of items they would bring with them and write a paragraph explaining why each item is significant. Students should meet in multicultural, nonsexist teams to share their list and discuss the importance of items they chose to represent them.
Assessment help
Students will produce a written assignment where they list the items they would bring with them on their first space mission and state why those items are important.
Enrichment / Alternative Activity help
There are many examples of scientists who took culture with them into their field or whose culture impacted their choices. Theresa Maldonado, for example, is an electrical engineer and a member of the latino culture. In her culture of origin, females were expected to stay home and take care of the family while the men went out into the world to achieve. After overcoming such cultural conflicts and entering the field, she had to listen to comments from individuals who believed that she was not qualified.