How Can Socio-scientific Issues Help Develop Critical Thinking in Chemistry Education? A Reflection on the Problem of Plastics

Socio-scientific issues demonstrate the relationship \nbetween science, technology, and society by considering currently \nunresolved questions. The problem of plastics and their pollution \nis just one example with important implications for the planet. The \naim of this paper is to revisit socio-scientific issues and see them as \na way of developing citizens’ critical thinking skills through \nchemistry education. In light of the problems posed by plastics, we \npresent evidence tested with Spanish grade-8 students of how \ncritical thinking skills can be developed through chemistry \neducation in terms of the vision of chemistry, understanding \nacquisition, a holistic approach to problems, critical analysis of \ninformation, argumentation, decision making, personal autonomy, \nand communication. This study also presents some examples of \nhow progress in the development of critical thinking by students has been evaluated.