Vision of Science Teaching
I believe the science classroom should be a safety zone. Science is full of accidents, mistakes, and failures that eventually lead to successes. Students must be encouraged to accept failure as a learning tool and to use it to their advantage. The classroom must be a safe learning environment – not only physically, but psychologically. It is critical that students feel comfortable enough with each other and with themselves that they choose to take risks which may result in failure. Science educators must provide many opportunities for students to fail successfully. They must also, then, provide students opportunities to analyze and correct their mistakes in order to grow.
I believe science education should encourage critical thinking and resourcefulness in analyzing and solving complex problems. Educators must encourage students to become independent in their learning and problem solving. In the classroom, this may include project or inquiry-based learning; students may be given a small foundation of knowledge upon which they can build their own through experimentation, research, exploration, and collaboration with peers. In this way, students don’t merely discover what to learn, but also how to learn.
I believe science education should spark curiosity. Students should develop a desire to learn about science in the world around them. To accomplish this in the classroom, educators must incorporate demonstrations with subsequent opportunities for students to inquire, explore, and experiment for themselves. Science should be a hands-on experience so students are naturally motivated to pursue their curiosity. Through curiosity and wonder, then, learning itself becomes natural and desirable instead of forced and obligatory.
I believe science education should be relevant for 21st century learners. Science educators must strive to make science learning applicable to students so that they gain an appreciation for what they are learning. In the classroom, this may be accomplished by using everyday items to demonstrate principles of science. This may also occur through the use of stories and analogies to help students comprehend abstract or microscopic concepts. Discussing new technology in the field of science, as well as showing it through YouTube, virtual, or real field trips will help students align science outcomes with real life. Finally, incorporating technology into the classroom is important to keep 21st century students engaged.
I believe science education should encourage critical thinking and resourcefulness in analyzing and solving complex problems. Educators must encourage students to become independent in their learning and problem solving. In the classroom, this may include project or inquiry-based learning; students may be given a small foundation of knowledge upon which they can build their own through experimentation, research, exploration, and collaboration with peers. In this way, students don’t merely discover what to learn, but also how to learn.
I believe science education should spark curiosity. Students should develop a desire to learn about science in the world around them. To accomplish this in the classroom, educators must incorporate demonstrations with subsequent opportunities for students to inquire, explore, and experiment for themselves. Science should be a hands-on experience so students are naturally motivated to pursue their curiosity. Through curiosity and wonder, then, learning itself becomes natural and desirable instead of forced and obligatory.
I believe science education should be relevant for 21st century learners. Science educators must strive to make science learning applicable to students so that they gain an appreciation for what they are learning. In the classroom, this may be accomplished by using everyday items to demonstrate principles of science. This may also occur through the use of stories and analogies to help students comprehend abstract or microscopic concepts. Discussing new technology in the field of science, as well as showing it through YouTube, virtual, or real field trips will help students align science outcomes with real life. Finally, incorporating technology into the classroom is important to keep 21st century students engaged.