Sensemaking

The shift to STEELS standards requires us to design learning that involves students in "figuring out" instead of "learning about" science and the world around them.

Sensemaking is the application of reasoning (to generate evidence, support/refute claims, consider the validity of presented ideas) to connect ideas that have been previously learned to a new phenomenon or problem.

"Sensemaking is actively trying to figure out how the world works (science) or how to design solutions to problems (engineering). Students do science and engineering through the science and engineering practices. Engaging in these practices necessitates students be part of a learning community to be able to share ideas, evaluate competing ideas, give and receive critique, and reach consensus. Whether this community of learners is made up of classmates or family members, students and adults build and refine science and engineering knowledge together." NSTA