THE IMPORTANCE OF BASIC EDUCATION IN SCIENCE: INTRODUCTION TO GERMAN SCIENCE CURRICULA AND THE IDEA OF “BASIC CONCEPTS”
THE IMPORTANCE OF BASIC EDUCATION IN SCIENCE: INTRODUCTION TO GERMAN SCIENCE CURRICULA AND THE IDEA OF “BASIC CONCEPTS”

Summary/Abstract: Apart from mere subject-specific learning, pupils should be given the chance to acquire competences that they can also use independently from a topic or subject. In order to facilitate this ability, the German curricula have now been altered to teach pupils a wide variety of practical skills as well as how to reason on a scientific basis. The curricula contain both concept- and process-oriented competences, with basic concepts being classed among the contentual dimension of concept-oriented competences. They are topiclinking, superordinate rules and principles which connect different scientific phenomena. The article emphasises the competences’ importance and gives tips on how every teacher - even without national standards - can approach biology lessons in a new style.

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