IMPROVING SCIENCE UNITS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Improving Science Units in Elementary Classrooms

Walt Gray, University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Most elementary school teachers are apprehensive about or lack the basic training to teach science as an integrated part of their curriculum. Educators thus miss an excellent opportunity to nurture young children’s basic sense to explore and question their environment.

In order to develop an interest in science, teachers should develop hands-on activities that take place outside of the classroom whenever possible. The curriculum should be designed as an enjoyable experience for students and teachers in order for maximum motivation to occur.

Geology and paleontology subject material provide excellent topics to peak student interest. One way to capture children’s attention and to motivate them to think scientifically is to use dinosaurs as a gateway into the curriculum. Young children as well as many adults cannot resist the almost mystical attraction of these Mesozoic life forms. For instance, population dynamics and food chains can be introduced using dinosaurs instead of modern organisms. The complexity of modern ecological communities can illustrated with ancient examples. Basic geologically principles such as superposition, cross cutting relationships and faulting with real life illustrations can be used to foster inductive thinking.

A popular course curriculum developed at Pender County involves the study of fossils. Students actually dig, clean and identify fossils from a donation of overburden material from PCS Phosphate. At the conclusion of this unit, students have the opportunity to map a trackway site and obtain measurements that allow them to interpret or discuss behavior, paleoclimate and paleography.

Several organizations offer excellent workshops that can elevate a teacher’s knowledge and comprehension of Earth Science subject matter. At least some of these courses assume no prior knowledge of geology. In return, students will reap the rewards of an early enjoyable experience in science classes. Benefits extend farther when these teachers pass on their experiences and materials by conducting their own workshops at local and state conferences.