Greater Johnstown School District

Education

What Does Elementary Science Education
Need to Look Like?

Scientists envision that when it comes to designing a program such as a science curriculum for elementary schools, the teachers will utilize virtually all of the components encompassed by hands on, inquiry based science education. In Foundations Volume 2" Inquiry, The National Science Foundation defines an "Inquiry Based" approach to learning as: "...learning that involves a process of exploring the natural or material world, and that leads to asking questions, making discoveries, and rigorously testing those discoveries in the search for new understanding. Inquiry, as it relates to science education, should mirror as closely as possible the enterprise of doing real science"(page2)

Inquiry often involves hands-on activities, However, not all hands-on activities are necessarily "inquiry based."

An essential element of inquiry in elementary science education is a focus on the following process skills:

• Observing
• Questioning
• Hypothesizing
• Predicting
• Investigating
• Interpreting
• Communicating

There are three major areas of development in an inquiry-based learning environment: (1) content and conceptual understanding and development,(2) the skills and activities of doing science, and (3) attitudes and habits of mind. Inquiry Based classrooms create and environment to allow children to approach learning that will allow their natural curiosity to lead the way. Inquiry-based classrooms also provide much more focus, structure, breadth, and dialogue to the learning process.