Lebanon: Description of Physics Programs and Curriculum
The rapid expansion of science and technology in the present century necessitates the renovation of its teaching from both the conceptual and methodological points of view. From this perspective, the new international and global tendencies towards science teaching were the main inspirations for preparing the science curriculum. The science curriculum presents the main concepts in a global approach based on the understanding of scientific principles in relation to everyday life in the domains of health, environment, technology, and ethics. The adopted pedagogical innovation focuses on mastery of the scientific method, communication techniques, and the transfer of knowledge. The curriculum defines conceptual objectives, both technical and methodological, that permit the establishment of a relationship between teaching and evaluation. Several teaching approaches are favored in the proposed curriculum, in particular putting learners in research situations to support students’ construction of personal knowledge.
Science plays an important role in our everyday life. It manifests itself in all aspects of human activity. Consequently, it is important that students become life-long learners of science, starting with science at school, and continuing to learn science beyond their school years. To achieve the above, science teaching aims to realize the general objectives listed in the table below.
| General Objectives |
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Develop learners’ intellectual and practical scientific skills
Deepen learners’ awareness of the ability of humans to understand, invent, and create Understand the nature of science and technology, their development across history, and their impact on human thought Insure that learners have acquired the facts, concepts, and principles necessary to understand natural phenomena Motivate students to apply basic scientific principles in all sciences Explain the scientific concepts and principles behind commonly used machines and devices Acquire knowledge about health, environment, and safety practices and behave accordingly Realize that some natural resources can be depleted and make the learner aware of the role of science in sustaining these resources Encourage learners to use scientific knowledge and skills in novel situations, especially in everyday life Emphasize the role of scientists in the advancement of human kind Encourage learners to be open to the ideas of scientists from different cultures and to their contribution to the advancement of science Encourage learners to abide by scientific values such as honesty and objectivity Develop learners’ scientific curiosity and orientation toward scientific research Encourage learners to work independently and cooperatively when solving scientific problems Make learners aware of career possibilities in different science-related areas |
Reference document: Educational Center for Research and Development, General objectives of the curricula and their details. 1997, Beirut, Lebanon.