Controversial Topic (CT) Definition
  
    “Issues that deeply divide a society, that 
    generate conflicting explanations and solutions 
    based on alternative value systems, are 
    considered controversial” (Harwood & Hahn, 
    1990).
  
    “Controversial issues are important policies or 
    proposals on which conflicting views are held by 
    large numbers of people in schools, community 
    and nation” (The School District of Philadelphia, 
    1990)
        Identified Earth System Controversial 
                                 Topics 
                in Science Education (USA) 
          NESTA Survey of Earth and Space Science Teachers about 
                                Needs/Concerns
          Controversial        % Feeling Difficulty or Pressure 
          Topic                from Parents, Students, 
                               Administrators, or Other 
                               Community Members
          Evolution                             68%
          (see Buxton & Provenzo, pp. 
          14-15)
          Age of the Earth                      47%
          Climate Change                        43%
          Solar System                          22%
          Formation
          Planetary Formation                   13%
         There were 275 respondents to this survey (Johnson, 2011).
  Teaching Strategies For Sensitive/CTs
  
   “Most strategies for teaching students about 
   values issues during the 1970s and 1980s 
   followed the same basic rule: Present the 
   students with the dilemma, give them 
   rational processes for thinking through the 
   dilemma, but do not try to impose your own 
   values on them” (DoBoer, 1991, p. 181).
    
   Teaching Strategies for Sensitive/CTs
  
    Begin by teaching relevant science content, 
    then discuss related policy or economic issues, 
    and end by having students explore their own 
    personal stances (Kirk, 2011). 
  
    Provide students with “solid background 
    information, multiple perspectives, guidelines 
    for discussing issues as a group, substantive 
    discussion questions, and strong follow-up” 
    (Cannard, 2005, p. 15). 
   Teaching Strategies for Sensitive/CTs
  
   Focus on using the scientific practice of using 
    evidence to support knowledge claims 
   (Duschl, 1990; Kelly & Takao, 2002).
  
   Have students analyze the scientific data 
   themselves (McGinnis, Hestness & Riedinger, 
   2011; Kirk, 2011).