Searching of atomic theories presented in high school chemstry textbooks in the point of history and philosopy of science and the ideas of teachers

The aim of this study is to investigate how the historical and philosophical dimension of atom teories are presented in chemistry textbooks and also to search the ideas of teachers on these subject. Another purpose of this study is to search alternative view are given or not with atomic theories in textbooks and to learn how teachers care about these dimensions of atom theories when introducing the concept.The research has been planned in two steps. In the first step of the study, atom theories which are presented in two chemistry textbooks used in high schools in Turkey were analysed by content analysis method. To investigate how historical an philosophical dimension of atom theories are presented in chemistry textbooks, check list was prepared. By using those check lists, the book were analysed. In the second step of the study, interview were performed with 5 chemistry tecahers who work in various high schools in Ankara. The results of interviews were analysed by content analysis.Under the light of the findings of the study, it can be said that the chemistry textbooks do not reflect adequately the historical and philosophical dimensions of atom theories. The information obtained from interviews, it is possible to say the teachers believe that historical and philosophical dimensions of atomic teories are neccessary for the students. According to some teachers, they have no enough time to introduce history and philosopy of science because of cirruculum and university entrance exam limitations.