There's More to Teaching Science

Doug Ronsberg

There’s more to teaching science than stuffing kids with facts—
’cause unconnected data flows like rain right off their backs.
Help kids discover nature, stars and waves, and tracks,
dinosaurs, and temperature, and killer bee attacks.

They have to learn to question, to observe, and to explore—
to seek the basic causes, to measure, count, and more.
So shelve that fault-line lecture; it’ll bore them to the core.
Active kid engagement is the key to learning’s door.

Kids need to think like scientists, to sort and sift and muse;
To evaluate the evidence—conclude what they should use;
To see the laws of science through a range of different views;
and find their way around the lab, to search for proper clues.

Encourage novel thinking, new approaches, different ways—
creative problem solving fosters hope for future days.
Emphasis on science terms and jargon doesn’t pay;
clarify their thinking and the elements will stay.

Don’t be the only fossil that your students learn about;
make your methods fit their needs and reassure throughout.
Give lots of time with science tools to ease their fear and doubt;
show women and minorities in science news you tout.

Cut down on competition and you’ll help your students grow;
use learning teams to multiply the science seeds you sow.
Encourage interactions so they share the things they know—
to reason and defend the things they think their data shows.

The adage about “Rocket Science” shouldn’t conjure fear;
rocket science can be fun and you should make it clear—
that everyone contributes to the learning of each peer,
and they need not all aspire to “Rocket Engineer.”

Don’t preach on relativity—don’t be an emcee square,
’cause you’re not Albert Einstein and they really couldn’t care.
Energize your classroom by getting kids to dare—
to gather, sort and catalog, and theorize, and share.

History’s a matter that requires your energy;
a solid link between world and to technology.
Insist on clear expression, not gaseous lethargy;
to make their learning liquid—and sound as it can be.

Yes, there’s more to teaching science than stuffing kids with facts;
you must make them feel comfortable and help them to relax.
If the action just intimidates you know how they’ll react;
they’ll lose their own inertia, and be forced between the cracks.

So be the supernova within their galaxy;
encourage scientific minds and you will set them free—
to love the world of science and almost guarantee—
why not, one day they could become a Nobel nominee!

Doug Ronsberg (Ronsberg5@msn.com) is a special education paraprofessional for grades two and three at Castle Elementary in Oakdale, Minnesota.

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