Sound science : an approach to teaching content, inquiry skills and the nature of science

As we teach, it is important not only to focus on science concepts and inquiry skills, but also to help children understand that science is a human endeavor to make sense of the world. Just as scientists seek to understand the world by gathering empirical evidence, elementary students can learn to make observations and develop explanations based on data and scientific understandings. Using the metaphor of science being a three-legged stool, Weinburgh (2003) suggests science instruction rests on three "legs", -science content, inquiry processes and skills, and the nature of science. Together, the three can provide students with a balanced understanding of science. Through our classroom experiences, we have realized teaching rwo legs-science concepts and inquiry skills-is not enough to help students understand science as a human endeavor. Student acquisition of scientific knowledge and skills does not necessarily translate into an understanding of the nature of science or how science itself works (AAAS 1993).