2:30 PM - 2:45 PM
[MZZ41-04] The Potential of Chigaku Education as Liberal Arts in Today's Science-and-Technology Dependent Society
Keywords:Earth Science Education, Scientific and Technological Literacy
Today's society is highly dependent on science and technology. Therefore, people are expected to have a certain level of literacy in science and technology, regardless of whether they are "humanities" or "science" majors. However, the current Japanese high school education may be hindering the cultivation of such literacy.
In the case of university entrance, students are asked to choose either "humanities" or "science" classes around the second year of high school, which lead them to study specific subjects and contents from the viewpoint of whether they are necessary for university entrance examinations or not. As a result, "humanities" students often learn less science and mathematics, and vice versa for "science" students.
It was C. P. Snow who was the first to warn that the disconnect between the "humanities" and the "sciences" could impede the development of society. Today, science and technology not only support society but also pose various challenges to the survival of mankind; the disconnection between the two culture is an obstacle to tackling the issues brought about by science and technology, and should be resolved.
Chigaku or earth science education, which handles natural phenomena around us, may have the potential to contribute to bridge the two cultures. In this presentation, I would like to discuss the potential of chigaku education as a liberal arts education in a scientific and technological society.
In the case of university entrance, students are asked to choose either "humanities" or "science" classes around the second year of high school, which lead them to study specific subjects and contents from the viewpoint of whether they are necessary for university entrance examinations or not. As a result, "humanities" students often learn less science and mathematics, and vice versa for "science" students.
It was C. P. Snow who was the first to warn that the disconnect between the "humanities" and the "sciences" could impede the development of society. Today, science and technology not only support society but also pose various challenges to the survival of mankind; the disconnection between the two culture is an obstacle to tackling the issues brought about by science and technology, and should be resolved.
Chigaku or earth science education, which handles natural phenomena around us, may have the potential to contribute to bridge the two cultures. In this presentation, I would like to discuss the potential of chigaku education as a liberal arts education in a scientific and technological society.