The Development of Science Education Research in Brazil and Contributions from the History and Philosophy of Science

Over the last 50 years a new research area, science education research, has arisen and undergone singular development worldwide. In the specific case of Brazil, research in science education first appeared systematically 40 years ago, as a consequence of an overall renovation in the field of science education. This evolution was also related to the political events taking place in the country. We will use the theoretical work of Rene Kaes on the development of groups and institutions as a basis for our discussion of the most important aspects that have helped the area of science education research develop into an institution and kept it operating as such. The growth of this area of research can be divided into three phases: The first was related to its beginning and early configurations; the second consisted of a process of consolidation of this institution; and the third consists of more recent developments, characterised by a multiplicity of research lines and corresponding challenges to be faced. In particular, we will analyse the special contributions to this study gleaned from the field known as the history and philosophy of science.

History and Epistemology of Science in the Classroom: The Synthesis of Quinine as a Proposal

The history of the quinine synthesis can be used as a case study to emphasize that science is influenced by social and historical processes. The first efforts toward the synthesis of this substance, which until recently was the only treatment for malaria, were by Perkin in 1856 when, trying to obtain quinine,,. he synthesized mauveine. Since then, the quest for the total synthesis of quinine involved several characters in a web of controversies. A major step in this process was made in 1918 by Rabe and Kindler, who proposed the synthesis of quinine from quinotoxine. Twenty-six years later, after obtaining the total synthesis of quinotoxine, Woodward and Doering announced the total synthesis of quinine. However, the lack of experimental details about Rabe and Kindler's process, associated with Woodward and Doering's failure to reproduce it, raised a series of doubts about the synthesis. Stork and colleagues questioned the veracity of the experimental data and even the scientific reputation of the involved researchers. Doubts remained alive until 2008, when Williams and Smith reported, not without reservations, the reproducibility of Rabe and Kindler's protocol. The scientific knowledge as a social and historical development, its legitimating process, and the absence of neutrality in science constitute aspects that can be discussed from this case study, providing significant contributions to science education, in particular, to the initial or continued training of chemistry teachers.

The romance of the microscope; an interesting description of its uses in all branches of science, industry, agriculture, and in the detection of crime, with a short account of its origin, history & development.

Mode of access: Internet.

A minor miracle : an informal history of the National Science Foundation /

Includes bibliographical references and index.

A brief history of the Poultry Science Association and its journal, 1908-1958

"Published in commemoration of its founding at Cornell University, July 1908."

Essays on archaeological subjects, and on various questions connected with the history of art, science and literature in the middle ages.

Mode of access: Internet.

An introduction to the history of the science of politics,

"Delivered as a course of lectures at the Royal Institution in 1882, and ... published as a series of articles in the Fortnightly review."--Advertisement.

Natural History Society of Cornell University, 1869-1899. The history of natural science in Cornell for the first thirty years.

Mode of access: Internet.

History of the brewing industry and brewing science in America, prepared as part of a memorial to the pioneers of American brewing science, Dr. John E. Siebel and Anton Schwarz,

Acknowledgment, [1] p. at end.