Science stands out from other classroom subjects due to the hands-on nature of the experiments and the problem-solving skills students practice. Not only can this be exciting for students and instructors, but these are universal skills that are highly valuable and transferable outside of a science experiment or classroom.
However, this article from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine notes that “too few U.S. workers have strong backgrounds in [science, engineering, and technology] and many people lack even fundamental knowledge of them.” Therefore, the Committee on a Conceptual Framework for New K-12 Science Education Standards developed a new framework for K-12 science education in the U.S. that emphasizes three crucial elements for teaching science to students in these grade levels.
The first is scientific and engineering practices. The second is teachings that tie together the study of science and engineering. The third is an emphasis on the core concepts of physical sciences; life sciences; earth and space sciences; and engineering, technology and applications of science.
The goal is straightforward: to create a set of guidelines to cultivate critical scientific thinkers who can apply concepts and practices to different disciplines. This consistency across institutions allows for a common approach to teaching and discussing science. Educators can learn more about science curriculum best practices in a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction – Science program.
On a classroom level, how are these ideas best implemented? Let’s look at a few agreed-upon best practices for offering K-12 students a relevant, engaging science education.
Student Discussion
In a 2021 article from Education Week, educators outlined some of their most successful approaches to teaching science at the K-12 level, and student discussion was near the top of the list. One inherent strength of discussion is that students often feel more comfortable speaking with one another than a teacher about new topics, especially when exploring new and unfamiliar ideas. They can talk through these concepts with peers in more “private” settings rather than potentially feeling uncomfortable in front of an entire class. The new K-12 science standards also underscore the importance of discussion, saying that students should engage in the communication of science from the very start of their science education, fostering their ability to “talk through concepts, practices, and understandings.”
Inquiry-Based Learning
Giving students a chance for hands-on participation in pursuit of an answer to a question is critical. Inquiry-based projects can allow all levels of students to have the “opportunity to participate in science skills and practices such as observing, classifying, predicting, and recording,” all of which are critical-thinking skills. This participation is almost always more effective than hearing a teacher lecture or reading pages from a textbook. This method can also eliminate barriers for English-learning students, since they can directly engage with activities and projects, then practice using scientific terms to describe what they have already observed and learned.
Modeling
Modeling is a crucial part of science education that has been practiced for a long time, but educators are still uncovering new levels of its utility. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine article, models should be more concrete for students during younger ages, with the practice progressing into more “abstract” models as students get older. Students should be able to create small-scale models, maps, diagrams or graphs that allow them to visualize relationships and concepts.
In the online M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction – Science program from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, students are exposed to various leading-edge best practices for instilling a strong foundation for science in their students. This program gives graduates the creativity to implement a curriculum that can spur student interest in science and properly prepare them for standards-based assessments of all types. Graduates will be ready with the skills and knowledge to create innovative and supportive learning environments for exploring science.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction – Science program.