A SYNTHESIS AND DATABASE CREATION OF SALA’S SCIENTIFIC LITERACY, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research was aimed at 1) synthesizing scientific literacy from perspective of Thai science academics, 2) studying science literacy of Sala or local technicians, 3) analyzing the science knowledge maintained by Sala, and, 4) creating database for organizing instruction on science learning strand. The process included the collection of qualitative data via focus group discussion taking part by 8 Thai science scholars, and interviewing 7 Sala, and assessing science literacy of Sala using interview form and knowledge assessing form including creating database in relevant to science learning strand. The research results were as follows: Firstly, Thai science academics had defined science literacy as having knowledge, understanding, and ability in using knowledge and science process skills along with scientific mind to evaluate and analyze the data, build up science body of knowledge as well as apply the knowledge in solving problems and maintaining life. The one who was with scientific literary would have the following characteristics, namely, (1) applying science knowledge and understanding in analyzing and assessing data, (2) construct science knowledge via science process, (3) applying science knowledge in his/her every life and transmitting it to others, (4) having scientific mind to serve as the operational guideline, (5) constantly search for knowledge and monitoring science progress, and, (6) having understanding that science had impact on the society. Secondly, concerning factors of scientific literacy of Sala, it was found that among the 7 Sala, the factors mostly found was scientific mind, followed by applying knowledge in daily life, knowledge and understanding on science rules, theories, and principles, and science process skills. The aspect of scientific mind mostly found among Sala was curiosity and determination, followed by being economical and creativity, and deliberateness. The science process skill mostly found was the skill in making conclusion from the data followed by skill in measuring, data interpreting skill, concluding skill, observing skill, classifying skill, number using skill, experimenting skill, skills in finding relationship between space and space and space and time, hypothesizing skill, predicting skill, skill in communicating data meaning, and skill in controlling variables. The skill in operationally defining things was not concretely shown but was embedded among Sala. Thirdly, in analyzing science knowledge of Sala which was congruent to and explainable by science knowledge, it was found that Sala on food was found to apply science knowledge in creating products, followed by Sala on drug and Sala on residence, Sala on cloth, Sala on transportation, Sala on recreation, and Sala on occupation. The field of science mostly found was biology and chemistry, followed by Physics. Fourthly, concerning the database for organizing instruction relevant to science learning strand, it was found that every part of science knowledge of Sala was relevant and applicable for organizing science instruction of all the 4 fields.