Whether it has been through personal exploration of the outdoors or planned experiments with chemicals, science has always played a significant role in my life. As an elementary and middle school aged student, I was naturally drawn to the science curriculum because it allowed me to get my hands dirty with information. However, high school did not give me the opportunity to explore this world as thoroughly as I would have liked, so I went into college not thinking I had such a passion for the subject. When I was figuring out what I wanted to do with my future, I reflected back to my previous education and it finally came to me that science education was the best fit. I love learning, children, researching, playing anywhere in nature and especially like observing my surroundings. From there on out, I have continued to find ways to satisfy this interest through volunteering at the Museum of Natural History, teaching classes in the Discovery Garden at the IC Community Rec Center and being a summer camp counselor at the YMCA Camp for 4 years. As I continue to explore the world of science and education, I strive to pass on my enthusiasm and knowledge to children all over.
Science education must include exploration, observation, application and experimentation through a variety of forms such as research, sensory experience and self-discovery. I plan to implement all of these things into my future science classroom in order to maintain enthusiasm and understanding about the subject. This will be most effective once I have gained an understanding of what prior knowledge my students have and what topics will be most applicable to their life. I intend to hold hands on experiments and explorations, observation journals and open forums for discussion about the information being learned.
Science education is an ongoing process of inquiry that must remain an important concept for students of all ages and knowledge levels. Explore this:
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
I love the way you articulated the components of Science Ed! I completely agree with sensory experience and self-discovery, but I hadn't thought of the clear steps of "explore, observe, apply, experiment." Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDo women love to wonder too - or just men? A great quote - I appreciated it. You have a solid vision on how you believe science should be done. I look forward to seeing it focus as we work this semester.
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