CURRICULUM

INITIATIVES ABROADPSSC & CHEM. STUDY

BIJILA.A.V
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
MTTC, NALANCHIRA.

INTRODUCTION:
Among the resources available for the
planning of science program are the
courses of study prepared by
International study groups. This will
help to understand the approaches
used in the improvement of science
education in different countries.

For the study of Physics and

Chemistry, there are two
initiatives:
The Physical Sciences Study
Committee (PSSC)
b) CHemical Education
Material Study (CHEM.
Study)
a)

The Physical Sciences Study

Committee (PSSC)

P.S.S.C
ThePhysical

Science
Study
Committeewas inaugurated atMITin
1956 with the objective to review
introductoryPhysics
educationand
designing and monitoring improvements.
It

produced a major new physics

textbooks,
instructional
movies
and
classroom laboratory materials, that were
used by high schools around the world
during the 1960s and 1970s

Aims:
1.To present a view of modern physics to the
student.
2. In order to achieve this aim, the committee
has devoted its efforts to develop a course
involving scientific inquiry on the part of the
students, equally important, that the student
see Physics as an unfinished and continuing
activity.
3. Stresses on understanding of facts, how to
use them for interpreting more complex
physical phenomena.

Features of PSSC:
PSSC Course contains four closely
interconnected parts distributed in 34
chapters.
Part
Part
Part
Part

I: Time, Space and Functions

II: Geometrical Optics and Wave
III: Dynamic aspects of motion
IV: Electricity and Magnetism

Materials developed for the

PSSC Course:
1. Text book
2. Laboratory Guide
3. Film series (53 titles)
4. Achievement test
5. Science study series of paper bound
books
6. Teachers guide
7. Low cost apparatus

Chemical Education Material

Study (CHEM. Study)
The

CHEM Study materials are highly integrated

around the development of concepts, theories and
ideas in Chemistry.

The

experimental nature of science is the basis for

student investigation of chemical reactions.

It
It

was originated in 1960 by J.A.Campel.

uses Inductive Approach i.e., from particular to

general.

Content of CHEM. Study:

1. Emphasis on, the structure of chemical
systems, including electron structure, the
geometrical arrangements of the atoms and
molecules, their relative size and shapes, the
packing together of atoms and molecules, the
forces between them and how these affect
Chemistry, is expected to guide the student in
his understanding and interpretation of the
complex chemical formula.
2. The text materials begins with an overview
of the field of Chemistry.

3. The student is introduced to major generalization

including energy and chemical reactions, rates of
chemical reactions, equilibrium and chemical
reactions, stotiometry, atoms and their structure,
periodicity of chemical properties and electron
structure.
4. After the generalizations have been developed
through experimentation, the students are
expected to continue using what they have learned
in interpreting and understanding more complex
ideas.
5. It has 25 chapters.

Materials developed
under CHEM. Study:
1.Text book
2. Laboratory Manual
3. Teachers guide
4. Supplementary materials
5. 16 mm colour movie films
6. Series of Chemistry monographs.

CONCLUSION:
P.S.S.C:
Teaching materials created by the PSSC
were designed to emphasize fundamental
principles
in
physics,
encouraging
engagement
and
understanding
as
opposed to memorization, making the
subject more attractive to students.

CHEM.Study:
Topics in chemistry education might include
understanding
how
students
learn
chemistry, how best to teach chemistry,
and how to improve learning outcomes by
changing teaching methods and appropriate
training of chemistry instructors, within
many modes, including classroom lecture,
demonstrations, and laboratory activities.

REFERENCE:

1) SCIENCE EDUCATION Theoretical bases

of teaching & Pedagogic analysis :
Dr.T.K.Mathew & Dr.T.M.Mollykutty.
2) Radha Mohan, Innovative Science
Teaching.

QUESTIONS:
1) Discuss the aims and features of PSSC
2) Briefly explain the content of CHEM.
Study.