Making More Opportunities for Science Inquiry
High-quality science education gives students the chance to develop important tools that can help them to pursue a lifetime of learning. Having good science instruction from a young age means that kids can learn about what scientists really do and learn to use the language of science, which can inspire them to pursue it recreationally and professionally in their lives. Learning the core concepts of science is important, but they must be introduced in a manner that is appropriate for young students and allows them to gain deeper understanding by building upon their previous knowledge and experiences.
High-quality science education gives students the chance to develop important tools that can help them to pursue a lifetime of learning. Having good science instruction from a young age means that kids can learn about what scientists really do and learn to use the language of science, which can inspire them to pursue it recreationally and professionally in their lives. Learning the core concepts of science is important, but they must be introduced in a manner that is appropriate for young students and allows them to gain deeper understanding by building upon their previous knowledge and experiences.
By building on past experiences, interests, and knowledge that kids have, they are better prepared to engage in the practices of science and, most importantly, will learn how to reason deductively. Being able to provide explanations based on evidence is an important skill not only in science. This is what allows kids to engage in causal explanations of the natural and physical phenomena around them.
Despite the knowledge of the importance of science education, only 44% of California elementary school principals believe that their students will receive high-quality instruction in this field at their school. A lack of funding and support has meant that science is no longer a priority for many schools. Teacher surveys show that high-quality science learning only available on a regular basis in about 10% of California elementary classrooms. These deficits mean fewer opportunities for an entire generation of adults.
CRS is working to reverse this trend and to increase excitement about science by providing teachers and students with resources they need to incorporate more hands-on learning into the school day. We are able to engage over 10,000 students and over 870 teachers a year in over 90 schools in the Bay Area. We provide customized teacher support for resources upon request from individual teachers. We provide real “ologists” for teachers and students to see and work with during a one-hour inquiry-based science lesson. CRS give science role models an opportunity to engage with young students who may never have met a scientist before. With over half of our scientist volunteers being female, and the vast majority being graduate students, we know we’re helping to break stereotypes of what science is and who does science.
Above: Oakland Kindergarten student in a lesson on color, prisms, and chromatography
For more information about CRS: www.crscience.org
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