Science teaching through contexts
Teaching science through contexts bridges science concepts with real-world situations. A contextual approach can make science more relevant to ākonga as it demonstrates how science impacts their lives and how school learning is connected to their lived experiences. Teaching through contexts also lends itself to cross-curricular learning.
Prompting questions/ngā pātai
What does science teaching through contexts mean to you?
What might contextualised science look like for junior students? For senior students?
Does the school’s overarching curriculum plan enable you to identify opportunities for teaching through contexts?
How does teaching through contexts support local curriculum?
How can teaching through contexts draw on different knowledge systems?
Transcript
Anna Thornton
We tried taking some bigger contextual approaches, and that was pretty cool just to look at the overarching idea.
Mairi Borthwick
You spend a bit of time really solidifying what is going to be that overarching context that you’re looking at. And then all the way through, you’re constantly looking on how you can link back to that context and draw authentic links to the science.
Lian Soh
We’re choosing contexts, which will include science-informed responses where people will be involved. When you’re learning about, say, your local stream, you might duck out and look at atoms and ions – all that classical science.
Carmen Kenton
I love the creativity that nature of science offers me. It enables me to go down pathways that my students really love and are interested in.
Pauline Waiti
It’s all about context and relevance.
Acknowledgements
Anna Thornton, Learning Area Head of Science, Mana College
Mairi Borthwick, Head of Science, Freyberg High School
Lian Soh, Science and Chemistry Teacher, Pāpāmoa College
Carmen Kenton, Science Teacher, Riccarton High School
Pauline Waiti, Education Consultant and Director, Ahu Whakamua Limited
Students on field trip in ngahere, by Lian Soh. © Pāpāmoa College
Stream footage. © The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato and Waikato Regional Council
How safe is your world poster, Andrea Soanes
