The concept of inquiry and student-centered instruction is a powerful phenomenon in chemistry education. It seems to have recently come upon the community, emerging most forcefully since the late 1980's. In fact, the philosophical, psychological, and pedagogical roots of inquiry instruction go back to before 1900, in the work of John Dewey. His role in the development of 'meaning-centered' education, its connection to the work of philosopher Richard McKeon and McKeon's subsequent influence on the science educator Joseph Schwab will be discussed. Articulation of these ideas with recent reform efforts, including changes in the AP science exams, and the National Research Council's work on How People Learn and the Framework for the Next Generation Standards in Science will be reviewed also.

Dewey to McKeon to Schwab: Tracing the origins of inquiry science education in the 20th century

244th National Meeting (2012)

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