Within the science education community there has been a movement to explore the relationships among science, technology and society (STS), and this movement has a long history.  In fact, its history parallels the more conventional or traditional view of science education that has dominated most curriculum and pedagogy over the last century.  But alongside has been this other framework that had aims involving not only applications of science, but how science could contribute to the well-being of individuals and society.

This week, I received an announcement introducing a new project, and supporting new journal.  The project, known as PASTE (Project for Activist Science & Technology Education) is an online community of educators, scientists, engineers, students, policy-makers and others aiming to promote personal, social and ecological wellbeing. 

One of the features of PASTE is what the organization calls a community-reviewed journal.  The journal, called JASTE (Journal for Activist Science & Technology Education) will publish contributions about research and action relating activist science teaching.  The journal is a free publication, and you can read the first issue at the JASTE site.  Here is the contents of the first issue:

• Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Towards an Action-oriented Science Curriculum – Derek Hodson (pp. 1-15)
• Activism or Science/Technology Education as Byproduct of Capacity Building – Wolff-Michael Roth (pp. 16-31)
• Science Teacher Activism: The Case of Environmental Education – Michael Tan (pp. 32-43)
• Transcending the Age of Stupid: Learning to Imagine Ourselves Differently – Leo Elshof (pp. 44-56)
• Globalisation and Learner-centred Pedagogies: Some Thoughts – Lyn Carter (pp. 57-60)
• Globalization, Food Security, Public Health and Prosperity Focus on India – Shiv Chopra (pp. 61-64)
• Anti-capitalist/Pro-communitarian Science & Technology Education – Larry Bencze & Steve Alsop (pp. 65-84)
• Feeling the Weight of the World: Visual Journeys in Science & Technology Education- Steve Alsop & Sheliza Ibrahim (pp. 85-104)

I think this is an important project, and hope you have a chance to check their site, and journal.