A thorough discussion about teaching the nature of science followed. First, the rationale
behind and the significance of teaching the nature of science, initially discussed in the summer
pedagogy course, was reemphasized. Second, a concerted effort was made to help the
participants realize that it is highly unlikely that their students would learn about the nature
of science implicitly through participation in science activities. The importance of giving
explicit attention to the nature of science was underscored. An explicit, reflective, activity-based
approach was emphasized. Participants were made aware that the same kind of activities
used in the program to help them learn about the nature of science can be used to teach their
secondary school students about the various aspects of the nature of science. Finally, the
participants were encouraged to think about the nature of science as a cognitive instructional
outcome. The implications of this consideration for planning and classroom instruction were
highlighted.