KLEIN's
GUIDE TO
SCIENCE EDUCATION
PHOTO CREDIT: Nadene Klein at Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite National Park
Often growing as a teacher comes from reflection on your practice. Some times reflecting on your practice comes from a heartfelt conversation with a former student.
A young man graduated from my high school more than four years ago. At that time, he insisted that he would return to our school to be my colleague. He wanted to be a science teacher, still does. Well, his gap year turned into two gap years followed by a delay because of Covid. As a part time student, he is just now finishing up is prerequisite classes at a community college. His plan is to finish college with his degree within the next 3 years. This is a huge accomplishment for a guy who six years ago wasn't even projected to be able to graduate from high school. We had a deep conversation about the science classes he has taken in college. He loved chemistry because he had a wonderful professor. He likes physics, which he is taking now, but finds it difficult to learn from this professor. Ah, he is starting to develop his identity as a teacher. He also is going to have to choose a branch of science to in which to specialize to get his secondary teaching degree. This troubles him because he'd rather be informed in all branches of science because he sees their interconnectedness. He values that over being narrowly focused in one branch. He spoke of a desire to teach people how to think like a scientist, to be critical thinkers, and to see how everything fits together. He spoke of wanting to teach a philosophy of science class some day. I beamed with pride at his commentary. I became inspired to continue those types of lessons in my classes that look at more than just science fact and look more at thinking and the nature of science. Because of him, I want to start a philosophy of science class. This is something that does not exist in most public schools. Therefore, I need to brainstorm....if I cannot start such a class, how can I bring this to my students? Well, there goes part of my spring break! Time off for teachers includes some restorative and self-care time, but also time to do the professional thinking that we don't have time to do during the hectic school week. I'll keep you posted about my brainstorming on this topic. I'd also love to learn your thoughts and suggestions--just comment below!
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AuthorNadene Klein, M.Ed. has been an educator for over 25 years. She brings a passion and love for science to the classroom and through this blog to you. Archives
March 2024
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