Enhancing Science Literacy through Socio-Scientific Issues: Integrating Ethical Reasoning, Scientific Argumentation, and Inquiry-Based Instruction
Keywords:
science literacy, socio-scientific issues, thical reasoning, scientific argumentation, inquiry-based instructionAbstract
Science literacy requires students not only to understand scientific concepts but also to evaluate evidence, construct arguments, consider ethical perspectives, and make informed decisions about issues involving science and society. Socio-scientific issues (SSI) provide meaningful contexts for developing these competencies because they connect scientific knowledge with social, ethical, and environmental dimensions. This article aims to examine how SSI can enhance science literacy through the integration of ethical reasoning, scientific argumentation, and inquiry-based instruction. A literature review method was employed using recent studies published from 2022 to 2026. The findings indicate that SSI-based instruction can strengthen scientific literacy by engaging students in evidence-based argumentation, ethical consideration, inquiry, decision-making, and discussion of real-world problems. Therefore, integrating SSI into science instruction can provide a meaningful learning environment for developing students’ scientific knowledge and their ability to use science responsibly in society.
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