Successful implementation of historical approach to teach nature of science
(NOS) requires suitable curriculum material. Several research and development projects
have produced lesson plans for science teachers. 25 lesson plans from four different
projects involved in creating curriculum material utilizing historical approach in chemistry
education were analyzed to describe NOS content included as well as the historical
experiments and narratives used. Based on the results of descriptive content analysis of
existing curriculum materials, several suggestions on the successful design of lesson plans
utilizing historical approach are made. To increase the coherence and clarity of learning
objectives and instruction, each lesson plan should focus on the limited amount of specific
NOS issues instead of several overtly general NOS aspects. To support explicit classroom
discussion on the selected NOS issues, historical narratives used in the lesson plans should
illustrate these issues. The lesson plans should also include instructions on how to facilitate
classroom discussion, such as questions for students to discuss and reflect. Recommendations
are also made concerning the appropriate use of historical experiments and narrative
elements such as viewpoint characters and conflicts.