Using Stories Behind the Science to Improve Understanding of Nature of Science, Science Content, and Attitudes Toward Science

Research has long-established that science textbooks frame what content is taught and how it is taught. Equally well-established is the many ways these textbooks distort the history and nature of science. Improving textbooks is a complex process that faces many roadblocks. Therefore, to assist teachers in accurately teaching about the history and nature of science, a project titled “The Story Behind the Science” (https://storybehindthescience.org) has created and made freely available short historical science stories that address the development and acceptance of fundamental science ideas in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. These short stories overtly draw readers’ attention to important nature of science ideas and enrich the learning of science content. Research provides evidence that the stories assist in improving students’ NOS understanding and attitudes toward science careers.