The difference between “learning about science” and “figuring out how and why something works.”

• What do you see as the difference between “learning about” a science idea and “figuring out how and/or why” something works (in science)?
• Which of these two ideas (learning about or figuring things out) best represents the most recent research on how students learn science today?  
• Why might the idea of "figuring things out" be included in a section on "How Students Learn Science"?  Support your answer/argument with examples and/or evidence.

Read through at least 3 other participant's thoughts to expand your thinking.