Students need to think like scientists...
Scientists are curious.
They ask questions.
Scientists are observant.
They look closely at what they are studying.
Scientists are creative.
They draw on what they know to test their ideas.
Scientists are skeptical and have an open mind.
They look at data then draw a conclusion.
Recommendations on Teaching Science
(adapted from Best Practices, 3rd edition, Zemelman, Daniels, and Hyde)
Curriculum should provide a variety of components emphasizing active and extended scientific inquiry
Students should learn disciplines (physical, life, earth science) in the context of inquiry, technology, personal and social perspectives, history, and the nature of science
Curriculum should include natural phenomena and science-related social issues that students encounter in everyday life
Curriculum should focus on students studying a few fundamental , unifying science concepts
Curriculum should enable students to understand scientific concepts and develop abilities of inquiry
All aspects of science should be integrated
Science should connect to other content areas (STEAM)
Curriculum and instruction should provide challenging opportunities for students to learn science
Instruction should hone student understanding and use of scientific knowledge, ideas, and inquiry processes
Curriculum and instruction should build on students' prior knowledge to foster conceptual change
Opportunities should be provided for scientific discussion and debate
Multiple process skills (manipulation, cognitive, procedural) should be emphasized in context
Students utilize evidence and strategies for developing or revising an argument or explanation - the results of experiments should be applied to scientific arguments and explanations
Learning should include public communication of thought processes, ideas, and work
Assessments should include not only scientific knowledge, but also scientific reasoning and conceptual change