Objects of Understanding: Historical Perspectives on Material Artefacts and Practices in Science Education

"Objects of Understanding" brings together studies of artifacts, collections, and practices in science education from the early 18th century to contemporary times. Even though science education plays a crucial role in the formation, stabilisation, dissemination, transfer and transformation of scientific knowledge and practices, its history remains still an underexplored topic.

This is true even more so for its material cultures and practices. Demonstration, experimentation by teachers and students, model making and dissection, but also image projection and showcasing objects have been central to science education throughout its history. Extensive teaching collections, teaching infrastructure and the architecture at schools, colleges and universities bear witness to the importance of these cultures and practices. The chapters from various disciplines, geographical regions and contexts demonstrate the richness as well as the high potential of the field.

Roland Wittje ist wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter am Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftsgeschichte der Universität Regensburg.
Seine Forschungsschwerpunkte sind die Geschichte der Physik im neunzehnten und zwanzigsten Jahrhundert, wissenschaftliche Instrumente und universitätshistorische Sammlungen.

Roland Wittje is lecturer at the History of Science Unit of the University of Regensburg, Germany.
His research interests include the history of physics in the nineteenth and twentieth century, scientific instruments and university collections.