"Along with the awesome responsibility to teach science content and inquiry comes a responsibility to nurture an understanding of the nature of science." It takes a lot to understand the true meaning of the nature of science. I have learned quite a bit through my research for this project. Science is not properly taught by teaching student the scientific method. A quote from my current research article proves this point nicely, "No single universal step-by-step scientific method captures the full complexity of doing science." This is so true. Students can not learn through step by step processes! Another point I found helpful from this article was "There are many methods to doing science, not just one “Scientific Method.” We can teach that questions lead to investigation and experiments that then lead to conclusions—but still stress there are many different pathways that scientists take." This article also goes on to pull creativity into the definition of the nature of science stating, "Creativity is a vital, yet personal, ingredient in the production of scientific knowledge." Creativity is an element of the nature of science I had not yet thought about,but after being forced by this article to think about it I do feel that creativity does play a rule in the nature of science. As it does with all learning.
This article also mentions that it is important to connect your teaching of the nature of science to your science standards.
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When I read the quote "creativity is a vital, yet personal, ingredient in the production of scientific knowledge" I couldn't help but think back to the pre-tests we took at the very beginning of the semester. I remember a few questions that asked us to rate how much science links to creativity. As I did this part of the pre-test I really struggled because I hadn't really thought of science being so creative. At the time, my thoughts about science were step-by-step procedures. I've learned since that this really isn't how science works.
ReplyDeleteThe quote you used, "No single universal step-by-step scientific method captures the full complexity of doing science" is very powerful. When I was growing up I remember there always being a correct way or formula to do something, and because of this I struggled a lot in science and math. It is important we allow children to learn science through their experiences and drive rather than the scientific method we tell them. Allowing them to learn through their own motivation is bringing meaning to science for each individual student.
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