Archived Information

State of the Art: Science - September 1993

image omitted Science is for all students.

Elementary science education is a key to the basics because science promotes the development of the thinking skills, learning processes, and positive attitudes required for lifelong learning. 
                                  (Mechling and Oliver, 1983)
A change in the goal of science teaching from preparing a few students with an interest in and an aptitude for scientific professional careers to educating all students in the science needed for today's world has transformed the way we think about science education. All of our children and young adults, not just those preparing to be professional scientists, must have an understanding of the science and technology behind the various social issues affecting their lives.

Yet, science has remained a relatively low priority in elementary school for many years, while reading, writing, and arithmetic were considered the basics. A 1990 National Assessemnt of Educational Progress (NAEP) survey indicates that fewer than one-half of the fourth grade students attended schools that gave special priority to science, compared to three-fourths or more who attended schools that gave special attention to mathematics, reading, and writing. The fact is that science is not taught frequently in many schools. Twenty-eight percent of the fourth graders reported having science instruction about once a week or less frequently, and only about one-half reported having science instruction every day.

The elementary grades are a critical time for capturing children's interest. If students are not encouraged to follow their curiosity about the natural world in the primary grades, waiting to teach science on a regular basis in grade four may be too late. Data show that many children tend to lose interest in science at about the fourth grade. Quality science instruction at the upper elementary grades is also important, for at present these grades are the last time that science is a part of the regular curriculum for students.
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[Background] [Table of Contents] [Setting science standards provides a valuable resource for improved instruction.]