Teaching Nature of Science (NOS) through Cultural Windows: A Framework for Latinx Preservice Science Teachers

Authors

Noushin Nouri, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Maryam Saberi, Ministry of Education, Darab

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This chapter presents a comprehensive framework for teaching Nature of Science (NOS) to preservice science teachers through cultural windows, implemented through six targeted activities. The framework, developed through rigorous meta-synthesis of NOS literature and analysis of Latinx preservice teachers' autobiographies, integrates Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP) and Rightful Presence (RP) theories with NOS curriculum elements. This theoretical foundation informs the design of activities: Dolores Huerta environmental justice, Tangram exploration, historical cases, cultural picture analysis, nixtamalization black box, and family-scientist interactions. Each activity systematically maps to curriculum elements while demonstrating how the framework enables cultural knowledge integration in NOS instruction for meaningful, identity-sustaining science education.

Comments

Copyright © 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global Scientific Publishing is prohibited

Recommended Citation

Nouri, N. & Saberi, M. (2026). Teaching Nature of Science (NOS) through Cultural Windows: A Framework for Latinx Preservice Science Teachers. In D. Silva Pimentel & K. Terrell (Eds.), Science Education and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies: Research, Practices, and Critical Reflections (pp. 181-228). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-5342-5.ch006

First Page

181

Last Page

228

Publication Title

Science Education and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies: Research, Practices, and Critical Reflections

DOI

10.4018/979-8-3373-5342-5.ch006