A Reflection: Igniting Scientific Inquiry Throughout the PYP
Leading the “Science throughout the Programme of Inquiry” workshop is one of my favorite experiences. The conceptual understandings of this workshop reinforced my belief that science should not be confined to a designated time slot but rather woven into the very fabric of the PYP. My goal was to empower educators to see science not as a separate subject but as a natural and integral part of inquiry-based learning.
Connecting Science Concepts to Our World: Local and Global Contexts
A core principle that is emphasized during the workshop is the critical link between scientific conceptual understandings and both local and global contexts. By grounding learning in global contexts, students can develop a deeper understanding of scientific principles through the lens of transdisciplinary themes.
For instance, when exploring the transdisciplinary theme “How the World Works,” educators can delve into the concept of cycles (e.g., the water cycle, life cycles) within the context of local ecosystems and global climate patterns. Similarly, the concept of systems can be examined through local community systems or larger global systems like the internet or the economy. Dynamic equilibrium, or more accessibly, balance, can be illustrated through local environmental balances and global issues like biodiversity. Even forces and energy can be investigated through local examples of simple machines or the global utilization of renewable energy resources.
Weaving Science into Every Thread: Integration Across Transdisciplinary Themes
The workshop passionately advocates for integrating science knowledge and skills across all transdisciplinary themes. The message is clear: science is not confined to a single subject; it is interwoven throughout the PYP.
Participants explore how transdisciplinary skills inherently support scientific thinking and processes, reinforcing the notion that inquiry learning is, in essence, scientific thinking. For example:
- “Who We Are”: Investigating scientific concepts related to the human body, health, and well-being.
- “Where We Are in Place and Time”: Exploring historical scientific discoveries or the science behind geographical phenomena.
- “How We Express Ourselves”: Delving into the science of sound and music or the physics of light in visual arts.
- “How We Organize Ourselves”: Examining the science of social structures or the technology underpinning organizations.
- “Sharing the Planet”: Naturally exploring ecological concepts, environmental science, and the interconnectedness of living things.
Multiple workshop sessions are dedicated to mapping related concepts from the PYP science scope and sequence onto the transdisciplinary themes, providing a practical framework for implementation.
Unpacking the Core: Major Science Concepts and Examples
The workshop highlights several major science concepts fundamental within the PYP framework:
- Cycles: Recurring patterns or sequences of events. Examples include the water cycle, life cycles, and seasonal changes.
- Systems: Sets of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole. Examples include the solar system, ecosystems, and the human body’s organ systems.
- Dynamic Equilibrium (Balance): A state of balance between opposing forces or influences that is constantly changing. Examples include predator-prey balance, body temperature regulation, and forces acting on a stationary object.
- Forces and Energy: Forces are pushes or pulls that can change motion, while energy is the capacity to do work. Examples include gravity, friction, light, and heat.
The workshop also emphasizes the importance of understanding adaptation and evolution as key scientific concepts.
Furthermore, it acknowledges research identifying fundamental science knowledge crucial for students transitioning to secondary school, including concepts related to changes of state, evolution, brain function, muscle movement, the carbon cycle, electricity, and forces.
Conclusion
The “Science throughout the Programme of Inquiry” workshop offers a transformative approach to embedding science within the PYP. By emphasizing the relevance of science in local and global contexts and demonstrating its natural alignment with transdisciplinary themes and specific concepts, the workshop empowers educators to foster more profound and meaningful engagement with science. The focus on identifying major science concepts and providing practical examples is a valuable foundation for planning and implementing effective inquiry-based science learning experiences. By integrating science throughout the PYP, educators can nurture a generation of scientifically literate and globally aware learners.
