The boundaries between Caribbean beliefs and pracices and conventional science

Abstract

This monograph presents a summary and analysis of the research in the Caribbean on cultural practices and beliefs and their possible impact/influence on science education, especially in schools. Section 1 provides information on the history and evolution of this research, while Section 2 provides a worldview analysis of traditional beliefs and practices. In Section 3, some of the implications of the research findings and recommendations for future research are suggested. These include: 1) study, documentation, and categorization of the beliefs/sayings on an ongoing basis; 2) analysis of the similarities/differences/congruence between the traditional and scientific understandings/explanations/worldview as it pertains to the various content areas of the belief/sayings; 3) design of pedagogical strategies to allow students to understand, and therefore, be able to make choices between the two worldviews, which are both ‘blueprints’ for life; 4) examination of possible teacher education procedures to facilitate the implementation of such pedagogical strategies; and 5) extrapolation of the findings in science-related sayings to research in other disciplines with the aim of obtaining a more holistic societal picture.