The learning unit “Microorganisms” developed
by Khalil 2003, for 9th grade students, based on the Science, Technology,
Environment, Peace and Society, (STEPS) approach is depicted and its impact on
students’ attitudes toward environment and peace was investigated in Arab
schools in Israel. It was hypothesized that learning the microorganisms topic,
by the methods of instruction and learning used in this study would enrich the
learning material of Arab middle schools, and enhance students’ interest in
science, technology and awareness toward environmental preservation and peace.
The approach of integration of science, technology and societal subjects can
determine the impact of this curriculum on the affective domain without
neglecting the scientific aspect, and may affect educational values, toward the
environment, and peaceful relations among neighbors. The learning unit contained
15 chapters (learning tasks), on microorganisms’ role in nature, science
research, food industry, health, and was taught in individual and cooperative
learning settings, using a variety of instruction/learning methods in the
classroom, laboratory and field trips. The results have shown significant
improvement on students’ attitudes toward environment and peace. The outcomes
indicate that the unit and the learning/instruction modes used, may serve as a
method to improve students’ attitudes on the affective domain.