Science

Four Strands of Scientific Proficiency


1) Know, use, and interpret scientific explanations of the natural world


2)Generate and evaluate scientific evidence and explanations


3) Understand the nature and development of scientific knowledge


4) Participate productively in scientific practices and discourse


-The four strands work together in the process of learning.



Traditional views of science learning

  • focus on mastery of factual knowledge.

  • Lecture, reading and labs serve to confirm established findings.

  • Emphasis on facts, memorization, practice.

New Approach to Science

  • Emphasis on engaging students in the practices of a science framework.

  • Asking questions

  • Developing and using models

  • Carrying out investigations

  • Analyzing and interpreting data

  • Constructing explanations

  • Engaging in argumentation

Why should i care?

Although this information is most pertinent to those who are Science teachers educators of every discipline can use this information to their advantage.These new teaching approaches speak to the concept of disciplinary literacy where students approach the subject from the mindset of the professionals in that subject matter. This is a technique that can be used not only by science teachers, but by teachers of all subject matter. This new way of teaching challenges students to think critically and creatively instead of spewing out information to the students and asking them to regurgitate the information back. The contemporary teaching approach challenges students to think beyond the factual knowledge presented and in turn asks them to apply the knowledge to real world problems. Students think abstractly and increase their understand as well as interest in the subject matter.