When you think about it, science is an inherently creative field. It’s not just about facts, figures, rules, and equations. It’s sparked by curiosity and fueled by human imagination!
For millennia, from the discovery of the solar system to the study of modern medicine, scientific knowledge has been advanced by creative individuals who dared to think about the world around them in ways no one had ever thought of before (and who then conducted rigorous research, of course).
But creativity isn’t always prioritized in science education, where available class time is often filled teaching to state or national standards. So how do we as busy STEM teachers encourage creative thinking and tap into students’ innate curiosity along the way? Here are a handful of helpful tips:
1. Make it relatable.
Whether you’re explaining microscopic structures like the atom or delving into complex ideas like the laws of physics, scientific concepts can seem a little abstract. So to help students grasp—and get excited about—a topic, take a step away from theory and offer real-life applications. Have they ever noticed how water beads up on their windows on a rainy day or drips from the faucet in droplets? Why is that? Using relatable, observable phenomena (here’s looking at you, intermolecular forces) is a great way to engage students in science and ignite their curiosity about the world around them.
Put it into practice: Between planning, grading, and teaching, we know you’re busy. If you’d like a break from lesson planning, download this free science activity created by Khan Academy and Adobe: How does water form droplets on surfaces?
2. Learn Science. Create science.
According to a study by the University of Chicago, research shows that when students physically experience scientific concepts, they understand them more deeply. While lectures and textbooks may work for some young minds, interactive, hands-on experiences are key to engagement for many others. By making the shift from learning science to doing and creating science, you can help kickstart students’ powers of observation, engage their minds by activating their hands, and tap into their imagination. And by bringing science to life in the classroom, you might just inspire them to put observation and wonder to work outside of science class too.
3. Write and draw.
Art and science are often seen as mutually exclusive fields of study, ruled by different mental processes and even different halves of the brain. But in reality, creativity is just as important to scientific discovery as logic and analytical thinking—and it’s a skill that any student can cultivate. One way to encourage this practice in science class is to incorporate writing and drawing into your lesson plans. Ask students to freewrite about their predictions and record their observations. Have them create informational graphics and drawings that explain what they learned. Not only can artistic expression help students tap into their creativity, but it’s also a useful skill for future careers in science. Working scientists regularly write and draw in order to communicate their findings.
4. Ask open-ended questions.
While having a deep understanding of scientific concepts is important, the focus on what we know (versus what we don’t know) can give the impression that creativity has no place in science class. Asking open-ended questions can help teach students that science is a process as well as a body of knowledge. “What do you think will happen?” “How was the outcome different from what you expected?” When you ask questions that don’t have one correct answer, it encourages creativity, problem solving, and deep thinking.
5. Create a mistake-friendly environment.
Everyone makes mistakes. Just look at the ancient scientists who thought that Earth was the center of the universe or the chemists who believed fire was caused by an element called phlogiston. Their ideas may have been wrong, but they did the groundwork so other scientists could explore different possibilities. When fostering a creative learning environment, it helps to let students know that it’s perfectly okay to make mistakes. After all, only by embracing uncertainty and exploring novel ideas can we discover answers to the world’s greatest mysteries. Start small! Rather than writing off wrong answers, ask students for their reasoning. Give them a prompt and ask them to come up with three possible answers, even if the answers are wrong. This can help boost understanding, build critical thinking, and encourage creativity.
Bonus tip: Be a role model!
As a STEM teacher, you’re not only a source of information, but you’re also a role model for creative thinking. If you need help getting started, check out this free, downloadable science activity from Khan Academy and Adobe: Why do clothes develop static cling in a dryer? It’s rigorous, creative, and ready to use right now.
The world around us isn’t a series of multiple-choice questions, and science class shouldn’t be either! By incorporating creativity into our lesson plans, we can encourage students to take risks and think freely, thereby engaging them in the creative process that is science.
The post Five Ways to Encourage Creativity in Your Science Classes appeared first on Khan Academy Blog.
When you think about it, science is an inherently creative field. It’s not just about facts, figures, rules, and equations. It’s sparked by curiosity and fueled by human imagination! For millennia, from the discovery of the solar system to the study of modern medicine, scientific knowledge has been advanced by creative individuals who dared to
The post Five Ways to Encourage Creativity in Your Science Classes appeared first on Khan Academy Blog. Educators, News Khan Academy Blog
