Science meets art: the case of Galileo’s telescope

Abstract

An interdisciplinary approach for teaching science based on the history of science and history of art is proposed. The approach is innovative, as it traces the history of science for learning, and is complemented by products of art, whose accessibility and understanding amplify the attraction and motivation for students. As history and art are also school subjects, science teaching is approached by an interdisciplinary humanistic view through integrating science and humanities. The approach is contextualized with the case of Galileo’s telescope, which provides additional issues on nature of science and technology, the relationships between science and technology (scientific instruments) and the general relations of science and technology with society (art). As an example, a global educational proposal for the case is developed.