Exploring Values Through Lived Experiences of the World Heritage Site of Petra: A Case Study

This chapter seeks to probe the complexities inherent in the notion of values by positioning this work within the context of our experiences and knowledge of the tensions that play out at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra situated in Jordan. Petra becomes a case study of sorts with the voices of various stakeholders at this site becoming the informants in what these tensions are and what impact they have (see Dillon & Reid, Chapter “Changing Context, Shifting Values? Science, the Environment and Citizenship at Minstead Study Centre 12 Years On” and Roche & Murphy, Chapter “Changing Values in Science Education and the Emergence of Science Gallery” this volume, for other context-rich chapters). Parallels can be drawn to the tensions that play out between scientifically-accepted ways of understanding and valuing science phenomena and more culturally specific ways of making sense of and connecting with the world. Connections will be made to highlight what this means for the work and thinking of science educators.