1. Curriculum and Pedagogy for Primary Science
DCS100
Curriculum and Pedagogy for Primary Science
Introduction to
the Science Learning Cycle
(the 5E Model)

2. An Introduction to the Science Learning Cycle (the 5E Model)
Agenda for this session
Requirements of the Primary Science Curriculum
Objectives of this session
What is Science Inquiry?
Approaches to Science Inquiry
The 5E Learning model
Applications of the 5E model in primary science

3. Requirements of the Primary Science Curriculum

4. ? ? ? ? ? Requirements of the Primary Science Curriculum So…
… what is all these talk about… ? ? ? ? ?
Anyone…?

5. Requirements of the Primary Science Curriculum
Scientific inquiry is defined as
“…the activities and processes which scientists and students engage in to study the natural and physical world around us.” (MOE, 2008, p.11)
Your students are expected to…
1. ask questions w.r.t. daily life, society & environment
2. collect and use evidences
3. formulate and communicate explanations
Demonstration

6. Requirements of the Primary Science Curriculum
MOE, 2008, p.11-12
Please refer to the handout given.
Use all or several of the essential features of science as inquiry in your lessons…
Structure your approach towards the left of the table…GRADUALLY (to meet the needs of your students)

7. Requirements of the Primary Science Curriculum
Inquiry lessons are to involve…
hands-on learning, from concrete to abstract
situate learning in realistic (authentic) contexts
… so design learning activities that require active
engagements of students to DO something that
relates to their REAL LIFE experiences…

8. Requirements of the Primary Science Curriculum
MOE, 2008, p Read also the misconceptions on science inquiry lessons

9. Objectives of this session
Now that you are aware of the MOE’s requirements… let’s look at what else we can do…
Is science inquiry really that difficult & scary??
What are the known approaches of science inquiry?
The 5E Learning model…one possible approach.
What others have done using the 5E model…
What I can try (to do or to find out) with students

10. 3. What is Science Inquiry?
Is science inquiry really that difficult & scary??
List your concerns here:
How we can overcome:

11. 4. Approaches to Science Inquiry
Three possible approaches…
The generative learning model (Osbourne & Freyberg, 1985)
The interactive model (Faire & Cosgrove, 1988)
The 5E model (Australian Academy Science, 1994; 2005).
Dawson, V. & Venville, G. (2007). The art of teaching primary science. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

12. 4. Approaches to Science Inquiry
The generative learning model (Osbourne & Freyberg, 1985)

13. 4. Approaches to Science Inquiry
2. The interactive model (Faire & Cosgrove, 1988)

14. 4. Approaches to Science Inquiry
The 5E model
(Australian Academy Science, 1994; 2005)

15. Origins of BSCS 5E Instructional Model
Traced back to early 20th century
Begins with the works of Johann Herbart on philosophy and psychology
Psychology of learning can be synthesized into an instructional model based on students’ current knowledge and their new ideas
- connections between prior knowledge and new knowledge form ideas
Teacher explains ideas that students did not discover
Teacher provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding

16. Who developed the 5E Model?
Developed by the Biological Science Curriculum Study (BSCS)
Led by Principal Investigator Rodger Bybee, who developed the model for constructivism
The team then called the model “Five Es”
Other models have been adapted from this model including 6E and 7E models

17. The BSCS, 5E Model for Inquiry-based Learning (Bybee, 2002)
The 5E Learning model
The BSCS, 5E Model for Inquiry-based Learning (Bybee, 2002)

18. Effectiveness of 5E Model
Rests on foundation of contemporary research on student learning
Expose students to a subject domain that arise naturally in problem situations
Activities are structured in a way that students are able to explore, explain, extend and evaluate their progress
Ideas are best explained when students see a need or a reason for their use
- see relevant uses of their knowledge to make sense of what they are learning

19. Effectiveness of 5E Model
Goal
Support Reported
in America’s Lab
Report (NRC, 2006)
Learning
Cycle (Other)
BSCS 5E
Instructional
Model*
Mastery of
Subject Matter
Is no better or worse
than other modes of
instruction
Has strong evidence of increased
mastery compared with
other modes of
Scientific
Reasoning
Aids the
development of
some aspects
Has adequate
evidence of the
development
of more -sophisticated
aspects
Shows some
of more-sophisticated
Understanding of
the Nature of
Science
Shows little
improvement
Has inadequate
evidence
Interest in
evidence of
increased interest
Has greater
increased
interest

20. Applications of 5E Model
State science frameworks
- outline science expectations for student achievement in science
- include content standard and benchmarks
- assessment, models of instructions, professional development, role of technology
Institutes of higher education—general courses, teacher education
Curriculum (e.g. textbooks, units, modules)
Specific lesson plans
Informal education (e.g., museums, media)
Professional development opportunities
Non-science disciplines

21. 6. Applications of the 5E model in primary science
Classroom Case Studies
Teaching Science as Inquiry
Based on Classroom 1 to 6, briefly describe the case scenario and identify if inquiry is used as a teaching tool in the classroom. Why?

22. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

23. THANK YOU!