Global science education is a reality at the end of the 20th century - albeit an uneven reality - because of tremendous technological and economic pressures. Unfortunately, this reality is rarely examined in the light of what interests the everyday lives of ordinary people rather than the lives of political and economic elites. The purpose of this book is to offer insightful and thought-provoking commentary on both realities. The tacit question throughout the book is `Whose interests are being served by current science education practices and policies?' The various chapters offer critical analysis from the perspectives of culture, economics, epistemology, equity, gender, language, and religion in an effort to promote a reflective science education that takes place within, rather than taking over, the important cultural lives of people.
The target audience for the book includes graduate students in education, science education and education policy professors, policy and government officials involved with education.

The Cultural Study of Science and Science Education.- 1. Science and a Social Constructivist View of Science Education.- 2. Between a Myth and a Hard Place: Situating School Science in a Climate of Critical Cultural Reform.- 3. A Critical Appraisal of Science Education for Economic Development.- 4. Science Education and the Politics of Equity.- I. Analysis and Praxis.- II. An Institutional Perspective.- 5. An Untold Story: Gender, Constructivism & Science Education.- 6. The Influence of Language on the Second Language Teaching and Learning of Science.- 7. A Cultural History of Science Education in Japan: an Epic Description.- 8. Philosophy of Science and Radical Intellectual Islam in Turkey.- 9. Science and Science Education: a Judeo-Christian Perspective.- 10. Towards a Critical Science Education.- About the Contributors.