This week our science department received a boost with the arrival of a consignment of new equipment which will enable us to carry out more practical experiments in physics and chemistry.
Science as a human endeavour is a way of increasing our understanding of what enters the field of our experience. The scientific attitude is one of independent thinking based on one’s own experience or the experience of others. Natural science is this attitude of science extended to the kingdoms of nature. It has had a significant influence on three areas of modern life, since at least Renaissance times. They are:
• Our technological environment, and synonymously our natural as well as social environment;
• Our cultural development in the way it helps shape our conception of the world;
• Our individual development in the way it has helped shape an increasingly independent, relationship to the world. This is twofold. Firstly sciences have played an enormous role, in enabling human individuality to emancipate itself from old forms of authority (exemplified in the lives of Giordano Bruno, Galileo and others) and base its action on the discipline of observation, reflection and a testing methodology as a basis for coming to decisions for action. Secondly, it has had a role in our learning about the world – its beauty, inner consistency and interrelationship with humanity – a basis for building a relationship of gratitude with the world.
At IFS our aim is to bring the sciences alive through practical applications in our projects. During term 1 our high college students studied several areas of science including: chemistry – acids and bases, toxicity; the earth’s atmosphere – water, climate, air and water pressure; astronomy – the relationship of the sun and moon with the earth; geology – tectonic plates and the ever changing shape of the earth’s surface; physics- weights and measures particularly in relation to inclined planes; basic tools and their development into the contemporary tools of today; building construction forms and methods – just to name a few.
Personally I love science and technology, the frontiers of which are ever expanding.
Greetings from Rodney
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