Chapter 1.

The Elementary Science Curriculum

Module
Lesson 1. Defining science
1
I. Learning Objectives
After completion of this module, the students are expected to:

• Define science;
• Characterize scientists;
• Discuss the steps in the scientific process;
• Explore why some students love science and others do not;
• Brainstorm ways on how teachers can make the teaching and learning of Science
engaging for students; and
• Characterize features and elements of an engaging science classroom

II. Learning Activities

Science is valued because it has helped in satisfying many basic human needs and improving living
conditions. Advances in technology and science are transforming our world at an incredible and
unimaginable pace. We cannot escape from and we cannot measure the significance of science. Science
has shaped the world. Technology and the products of scientific knowledge surround us every day. Public
and private policy decisions that impact every aspect of our lives are driven by scientific process and
scientific evidence. The enormously complex physical world around us illustrates boundless scientific
concepts. Being "science literate" has become not just an advantage but an absolute necessity in the 21st
century.

Science is our way of understanding the world-its wondrous structure, natural events, interrelated
elements and systems, and processes. It is an exciting and, at the same time, a useful endeavor that
benefits our community and society at large. Another important goal of science has emerged during the
past decades: to find a way to responsibly and ethically use natural resources to guarantee their continuity
and that of humanity itself; an endeavor and advocacy
that is referred to as "sustainability"

Aside from sustainability movement, education could become the most important application of
science in the next decades ("Importance of Science... 2017). It is crucial to provide humanity with a basic
understanding of how science has shaped the world and human civilization. It is for this reason that
education institutions need to constantly equip science educators with the tools and competence to
advance science education and to engage the learners in the love for learning and doing science.

The word 'science" is derived from the Latin word Scientia meaning knowledge. Science s commonly
referred to as a systematic and organized body of knowledge in any area of inquiry that is acquired using
"the scientific method." Science has many facets and definitions that can be summarized into the following:

• Science as a broad body of knowledge - Physical sciences consist of disciplines such as physics
(the science of physical objects), chemistry (the science of matter), and astronomy (the science of
celestial objects). Earth sciences consist of disciplines such as geology (the science of the earth).

• Science as a set of skills -The science process skills form the foundation of scientific methods.
There are six basic science process skills: observation, communication, classification,
measurement, inference, and prediction. These basic skills are integrated when scientists design
and carry out experiments. All six basic skills are important individually as well as when they are
integrated.

• Science as an intellectual activity- Science is the intellectual, practical, and systematic study of the
structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

The Teacher and the Community, School Culture and Organizational Leadership 1
 Science as an intellectual activity-Science is the intellectual, practical, and systematic study of the
structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

• Science as a social activity - Science is a social activity shaped by history, institutions, beliefs, and
values. Society shapes science and vice versa.

• Science as problem-solving Problem-solving skills are necessary in all areas of life, and the science
class provides the students opportunity to develop and utilize their problem-solving skills, which
include the ability to critically analyze a problem, determine all its elements, and prepare a feasible
solution. These are valuable skills one can acquire in life.

• Science as a career - Individuals who have devoted themselves in studying and doing science have
established careers in science, such as biologists, chemists, environmentalists, astronomers,
medical practitioners, among others.

• Science as a global human endeavor Science is a result of human imagination, ingenuity, and
creativity. Individuals and teams from many nations and cultures have contributed to science and
to advances in technology.

• Science as a process -The scientific method is a set of steps for verifying and building scientific
knowledge. When performing this process, one employs skills necessary to research a topic,
develop a plan and timeline, and draw conclusions from research results.

A. Activate

Activity 1. Defining Science

Do you remember how your previous teachers, readings and classes define science? Create a word cloud
on knowledge inside the box.

Example

B. Analysis

Activity 1. The facets of Science

Science means several things to various individuals and institutions. You can see the various facets of
science in the first column below. On the opposite column, write your insights and reflections about each
facets of science.

Facets of Science Insights and Reflection

1. Science as a broad body of knowledge

2. Science as a set of skills

3. Science as an intellectual activity

4. Science as a social activity

5. Science as problem solving

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 6. Science as a career

7. Science as a global endeavor

8. Science as a process

C.Abstraction
AbstractionLet's Conceptuall2

Activity 1. The Scientific Irony

Science is a very exciting subject and process, but why do teachers have difficulty engaging in all the
students love learning and doing science? In pair or triad, reflect on this question. Write the reasons why
the students in the first column and the reasons for their disinterest in the third column. In the second
column entitled BUT, write the manifestations of the students’ disinterest in the subject.

Students love Science BUT They hate Science class

D. Application

Activity 1. Characterizing an Inspiring science Teacher

Research shows that the teacher is the most important factor in the effective delivery of classroom
instruction. Engaging classes are facilitated by inspiring science teachers. But what are the important traits
of a science teacher. Write descriptions and sample illustrations below.

The Teacher and the Community, School Culture and Organizational Leadership 3
Do you embody these traits? What steps do you undertake to develop them? Write your answer on the
lines provided below.
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III. Lesson Synthesis

1.What should be the purpose of the science class?

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2. What makes an engaging and inspiring science class? An effective science teacher?
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Reference:

Alata, Eden Joy P. & Alata, Elen Joy P. ( 2020) Teaching Strategies for Elementary Science ( Physics, Earth and Space
Science). Rex Book Store.

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