This article describes the experiences of six science teachers and a facilitator (the author) involved in an action research group in science, technology and society (STS) education. Two strands of research have informed the evolution of this action research project. The first strand comes from an interest in science, technology and society education, while the second strand emerges from the literature on action research as a possible means of accomplishing some of the goals articulated by STS advocates. Therefore, the purposes of this paper are two‐fold. First, the paper explores the genesis of an issues‐based model for STS education and curriculum development created by the teachers and facilitator of the action research group, and briefly highlights applications of this model in a classroom context. Second, action research is examined as a potential tool for professional development in the context of science education.