AEA Learning Online › Life Science for Elementary Teachers › The difference between “learning about science” and “figuring out how and why something works.”

Learning vs. Figuring Things Out

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Teacher 3

Learning vs. Figuring Things Out

If I want to learn about something, I generally can read about it, or I can watch someone who knows what they are doing, or I can be put into a situation where I need to do whatever needs to be done. A few years ago I had a leaky faucet in my house. It was not an emergency situation, there was not cascades of water causing any permanent damage, so I took it upon myself to fix it. I looked up youtube videos, read the instruction manual that had come with our sink, and eventually took the faucet apart and repaired it. I had to figure out what the problem was, had to identify a solution and then fix it. To me, this was a situation where I had to figure things out and also learn about a particular "science".

I think a major shift has happened over the past few years which has changed the focus of science in the classroom from reading about science concepts to having students figure things out. The maker movement is one indication of this mind shift. It is still important for kids to understand the basics of science, as we have discussed in previous forums, but it is also valuable to provide opportunities for kids to ask questions and then take things apart and put them back together again to find out the answers.

I think figuring things out fits very well in our discussions on "How Students Learn Science". We know kids learn through first hand experience and through need. As my dad said to me years ago, "You can read all you want about heat conduction, or you can burn your hand on a stove!" Maybe not the most delicate analogy here, but it does make sense.

memozi12

Re: Learning vs. Figuring Things Out

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ttaylor@cam.k12.ia.us

Re: Learning vs. Figuring Things Out

In reply to this post by Teacher 3

You had a great analogy of your fixing your leaky faucet. You were given a problem, you researched and reviewed videos and books about it, and figured out how to fix it. Real world/real life scenario. What a great teachable moment for you. I bet you haven't forgotten what to do because you were put in a situation and YOU had to solve it.

BrianaFahey

Re: Learning vs. Figuring Things Out

In reply to this post by Teacher 3

Learning through experience is crucial, just like in Bitlife , where every choice teaches a lesson. Whether fixing a leak or engaging with science, hands-on activities foster understanding. The shift in education emphasizes problem-solving and critical thinking—students need to take things apart and learn through exploration.

alexanderduen

Re: Learning vs. Figuring Things Out

In reply to this post by Teacher 3

I completely agree with the shift towards experiential learning in science education. Figuring things out hands-on, like when I tackled a leaky faucet, really deepens understanding. It reminds me of how I learned to navigate different places through challenges on platforms like geoguessr free. Engaging directly with problems fosters curiosity and critical thinking in students!

wl123456789

Re: Learning vs. Figuring Things Out

In reply to this post by memozi12