Science is all around us. As we explore the world and understand how various things work, we are learning about science. At Astor International School, science education is integrated into our IPC studies. This provides different benefits for students as it helps them to develop a strong foundation in scientific thinking, knowledge and skills.
One of the key benefits of science is the development of curiosity and inquiry skills. Science education encourages students to ask more questions, to experiment with different materials and to observe and think critically about the outcome. At Astor International School, teachers are trained to facilitate learning by asking guiding questions whenever students are conducting experiments. Instead of giving them the answers directly, teachers guide students to think about various ways to conduct the experiment and to focus on the learning process rather than the outcome. This fosters the students’ natural curiosity and helps them to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Another key benefit of integrating science education within the curriculum is the hands-on learning opportunities it offers. Science education frequently involves tactile experiments and activities that excite the students and keep them engaged. This helps students to remember the concept that they are learning as they enjoy conducting those experiments. Furthermore, these experiences help students develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. For example, in the year three class, students built their own traffic lights, using screwdrivers to fix the screws themselves.
In addition, science education supports the development of a growth mindset in students as they encounter various challenges when conducting experiments. When students conduct an experiment, there is no guarantee that the experiment will work the way it is supposed to. And if an experiment fails, students can learn from the failure and try again the next time. It demonstrates to students that failure is an important part of learning and that there are lots of things we can learn when we fail.
Furthermore, this develops communication skills and offers various opportunities for students to collaborate together. Science education often includes presentations where students communicate their ideas and findings. This helps to develop confidence in sharing in large group settings and also helps the others to look at their own findings when they compare them to others. Science experiments are often done in groups and it requires all members of the group to work with one another to be able to complete the experiment. Negotiation and communication are key when collaborating in a team.
In conclusion, at Astor International School we believe that science education is crucial for building a strong foundation in developing curiosity and inquiry skills, fostering a growth mindset, and promoting communication and collaboration skills. It has wide-ranging benefits that extend beyond the classroom and into various aspects of a student's life and future opportunities.