Science is a very important subject to teach to children in
the classroom. Since some students may be reluctant when it comes to this
subject, it is crucial that teachers carefully choose the methods in which they
use to teach it. As teachers, it is likely that we either grew up with bad
experiences when it comes to science, positive experiences, or a mixture of the
two. We then have these experiences affect how we teach our students. I overall
have a moderate recollection of how science was presented to me growing up.
There are certain projects which I had a special interest in as well as some
lessons which stood out more than others. In most of my dominant memories, the
parallel seems to be that hands-on activities helped me to remember the most
about a topic when it came to the subject of science. Therefore, in order to
keep my future student engaged in a lesson I will plan different activities to
go along with direct instruction in order to help students ultimately
comprehend the lesson.
I have many memories here and there about my experiences with
science up until the present day. In primary school, my fondest memory of
science includes watching caterpillars turn into butterflies. When they became
butterflies it was an exciting day because it meant that as a class we were
able to go outside and watch them get released. It is hard for me to remember
much from primary school but this experience is one that stand out, all the way
down to the cage we kept the butterflies in. Perhaps it stands out so fondly in
my memory because it was a project my classmates and I were invested in. Rather
that reading about butterflies we got to experience it firsthand and we were
able to be involved in their metamorphosis. Similarly to the butterflies, I
remember participating in the “lima bean in a bag” experiment in elementary
school. Again, this project was one that my classmates and I were able to be a
part of and witness rather than only having to read out it.
In elementary school,
my school had a program where classes would switch with each other for science
and social studies. So in first grade when it came time for science class, we
would go to the teacher next door for science and her class would come to our
room for social studies. Perhaps this program was to help us get ready for
middle school or perhaps it was a way for us to be able to change our
environment. Either way, the program is a memory of mine that stands out
because it allowed for me to look forward to science class instead of dreading
it. One of the projects I remember the most in elementary school was an animal
project where each student was supposed to pick and research an animal and then
present their findings. I researched a panda and put my findings into a
panda-shaped book, complete with black and white fur of course. This project
allowed for me to become an expert on the topic of pandas and retain
information that I have kept with me till this day. This project also allowed
for me to know more about the various animals my classmates researched and
expand my knowledge.
As time went on, science became harder and harder. I remember
enjoying certain experiments in high school such as making bottle rockets in
physics or roasting marshmallows in chemistry. I also remember being fascinated
by certain lessons such as the stars or the human brain. As interesting as it
was, science grew harder in high school and became something I did not look
forward too. What was once interesting to me became packed with lab reports and
a memorization of facts, including the always difficult memorization of a cell.
I try not to have these experiences deter me as a teacher however, because I
know that science is interesting and can be something students look forward to
as long as it is presented in the right way.
As I reflect on my past experiences of science, I find that
the general characteristics that seem to be meaningful to me is when lessons
are presented in a more hands-on manner. In an analysis of my favorite projects
and lessons, it is clear that the topics that have resonated with me the most
are ones where I was able to see the science happen in front of my eyes and
experience it firsthand. The characteristics of science experiments that seem
to be a turn-off for me is when I am required to memorize data and facts and
have no real world application of the topic.
I feel that I have always been successful in science because
I am a generally hard worker. Science has never been my favorite subject and
there were times, specifically biology, where I struggled. However, I was able
to invest enough of my time into the class in order to get a good grade. In the
long run however, I do not feel as though I am successful with science. There
is a difference between memorizing facts in order to pass a test and having these
certain facts resonate with you for years to come. Maybe it is because I do not
see myself as being good in science that I never took an interest in it. I
never felt confident enough in it to pursue a career that involved a lot of
science, such as nursing.
Science is a very diverse subject therefore it is difficult
to define. I think science is the study of a multitude of disciplines in both
the physical and natural world as tested through questioning and
experimentation. How I view science is something that is based on evidence yet
can also change. There are new developments every day that further support
certain theories or even prove them wrong. To me, science also explains many of
the marvels that exist in our world today, like why we have seasons, why we are
considered mammals, and why there are other solar systems besides ours, just to
name a few. As much as I may not have felt I excelled in science as a student,
I was always curious about it and certain explanations for why the world is the
way it is. To this day I find myself researching online in order to find the
answers to science-related questions I may have.
My past learning experiences with science have shaped my
definition of science by allowing me to see how diverse of a subject it is. Throughout
my schooling, I have been exposed to various disciplines of science including
earth science, astronomy, biology, and chemistry. These are all disciplines
within the subject of science that children should learn throughout their years
in school. As a future educator I will make it my duty to ensure that my
students are given the opportunity to learn within these multitude of topics as
well.
One characteristic that I have also experienced when studying
science is that it involves a variety of other subjects. Most frequently,
science deals with the subject of math. Math can help students collect as well
as analyze data. Reading comprehension is also important in order for students
to analyze certain information. Even history is applicable in order to know the
background of science and certain scientists and discoveries that were made in
the past. As a future teacher, it is important that I not only teach science to
my students but apply various subjects to my lessons in order for them to
practice a number of skills.
