EXCURSIONS IN THE CURRICULUM OF SECONDARY SCHOOL NATURAL SCIENCES IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article is devoted to educational excursions in the natural sciences in secondary schools from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. The author analyzes the place given to excursions in the curricula of natural history, geography, biology, chemistry, and physics. The attempts to introduce excursions into the natural history and geography curricula of the pre-revolutionary school are highlighted. Based on archival materials, it is proved that in 1918–1919 excursions were included in the geography programs developed in the Ukrainian state. The role played by S. Rusova in the development of these programs is shown. It is noted that the plans for the introduction of excursions provided for in the developed programs were not implemented. The author analyzes the evolution of curricula in physics, chemistry, biology, geography, and natural history in the period from the late 20s to the 50s. Different approaches to the inclusion of excursions in the curriculum are identified (determining the topics of excursions in certain sections of the program, presenting a general list of recommended objects of excursions, determining the minimum number of excursions and the class time allocated for them, recommendations for conducting excursions without determining the time for their conduct and topics of excursions, determining the mandatory minimum of excursions with a certain time assigned to them). The role assigned to educational excursions in the explanatory notes of the programs is indicated, in particular their role in providing polytechnic education, connecting learning with life, increasing the level of visibility and interest of children. It is noted that most programs provided for the possibility for the teacher to choose the direct objects of excursions and the time of their conduct, taking into account local opportunities and features. Modern science programs are analyzed. It is determined that at the present stage in many programs the role of excursions is completely ignored (10–11 grades in physics, geography), in others their number is extremely small (geography, 6–9 grades, biology, 6–9 and 10–11 grades, physics, 7–9 grades. It is noted that excursions are currently most fully represented in the chemistry curriculum for grades 6–9.