Science is about inquiry into nature and natural phenomenon, it is the asking and answering of questions. Basically, asking the right questions and probing for plausible solutions to such questions give us a feel of science. Children are naturally talented and curious, hence science at primary and secondary levels should nurture this curiosity and allow them to ask questions and develop the skills they need to answer those questions. Science enable students develop the basic scientific ideas and understanding about the biological and physical aspects of the world.
In nurturing young science talent, it is important to go back and start from an even earlier stage, make available learning resources that will expose children to the excitement of science, and help them figure out for themselves if they are genuinely interested in “science”, and then make them want to pursue studies/career in the subject of science.
Which is why here in Good Shepherd Academy international, the emphasis of science education is to enhance student’s scientific thinking critically through learning activities that involve rational planning, designing, measuring, observing, evaluating procedures, examining evidence, analyzing data, etc.
Science, the study of the nature and behaviour of natural things. At the primary level, science is integrated or basic while at the secondary level, it is divided into branches such as physics, chemistry and/ or biology. We believe that, science education provides learning experiences through which students acquire scientific literacy and develop scientific knowledge and understanding, processing skills, values, and attitudes to help them contribute to a scientific and technological world.
More specifically, in Good Shepherd Academy our curriculum is designed to provide such scientific goals for students in science education as enumerated below, to
- Develop curiosity and interest in science,
- Develop the ability to inquire and solve problems,
- Acquire basic scientific knowledge and concepts and contributing to a scientific and technological world,
- Recognize the usefulness and limitations of science and the interconnections among science,
technology and society, and develop an attitude of responsible citizenship, including respect for the environment and commitment to the wise use of resources, - Become familiar with the language of science and be equipped with the skills to communicate ideas in science related contexts,
- Appreciate and understand the evolutionary nature of scientific knowledge,
- Attain personal growth through studying science, and
- Be prepared for further studies or careers in scientific and technological fields.
The curriculum also aims to foster positive attitudes toward science, and to encourage children to examine and appreciate how science and technology affect their lives and the environment.
For science education at this level to be effective, schools need the time, expertise and resources to deliver engaging and thought-provoking science lessons. This is of particular importance because primary science helps students to:
- Investigate problems
- Learn how science works
- Discover why science matters in the world.
In Good Shepherd Academy, The Science department which is currently the most popular department, is continuously developing ideas and resources to make its lessons both informative and stimulating.
However, beyond the potential scientific breakthroughs that accompany science education, there are individual benefits to learning science, such as developing our ability to ask questions (the right questions), collect information, organize and test our ideas, solve problems, and apply what we learn. Even more importantly, science offers a powerful platform for building confidence, developing communication skills, and making sense of the world around us.