Zhou Zhonghe

"The current middle school geography curriculum lacks the overall vision of earth science, and it is difficult to accommodate the content of other branches, and it cannot meet the requirements of colleges and universities for the early training of geoscience talents. The problems and contradictions are very prominent." Zhou Zhonghe, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said bluntly.

Earth science is the science of understanding the formation and evolution of the Earth. Geography is a sub-discipline of earth science, characterized by comprehensiveness and regionality, and mainly studies the earth's surface and the relationship between man and earth. "The geography courses in middle schools in my country are mainly based on traditional geography knowledge, with shallow content and less class hours, and are even regarded as liberal arts courses." Zhou Zhonghe said.

Zhou Zhonghe told the "China Science Daily" that at present, although the primary school geography curriculum has expanded some earth science content and incorporated it into the primary school science curriculum, the middle school curriculum reform has also absorbed some opinions and revised it several times, but it is still mainly limited to geographical phenomena. The spatial distribution cannot reflect the rich connotation of earth science, and it is obviously behind the times and the needs of my country's modernization construction.

Therefore, he suggested that, firstly, based on the fact that my country is the country with the most diverse and complex landforms and climates in the world, it is necessary to incorporate important scientific ideas and research results in the field of the earth and the universe into the middle school earth science curriculum, so that it can reflect the characteristics of the times, adapt to social needs, Serve the national strategy.

Secondly, upgrade the existing geography textbooks. Organize academicians and experts in the field of earth sciences, geography curriculum experts in normal colleges, middle school geography teaching researchers and excellent teachers to conduct in-depth analysis of geography curriculum plans and curriculum standards, revise the earth science curriculum standards and curriculum content as a whole, and guide curriculum construction. Compile a batch of earth science textbooks that have been reviewed and approved by the National Textbook Committee and are suitable for national use.

Third, strengthen the construction of teaching staff and improve teaching ability. Strengthen continuing education and post-job training for existing teachers, revise the training program for normal students, and increase the content of geosciences such as geology, geophysics, atmosphere, ocean, and environment.

Finally, strengthen the development of curriculum resources. Renovate existing geography classrooms and laboratories, equip them with relevant teaching and experimental equipment and visual digital resources, organize field trips and research trips, enable students to master the ideas and methods of modern earth science, and cultivate innovative thinking, scientific spirit and survival skills.

(The original title was "Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhou Zhonghe: Geography class in middle school needs to be upgraded to earth science class")