Science is not just a collection of facts, it is so much more. We all need to know some basic science in order to better understand our environment. At the root of science is observation and some of the basic principals include:
- Observing what's happening
- Predicting what might happen
- Testing predictions under controlled conditions to see if they are correct
- Trying to make sense of our observations
Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov describes science as "a way of thinking, a way to look at the world." Science also involves trial and error - trying, failing, and trying again. Science does not provide all the answers. It requires us to be skeptical so that our scientific "conclusions" can be modified or changed altogether as we make new discoveries.
Children develop their own ideas about the physical world, ideas that reflect their special perspectives. Below are some perceptions from some sixth grade students:
- Fossils are bnes that animals are through wearing
- Gravity is stronger on the earth than on the moon because here on earth we have a bigger mess
- A blizzard is when it snows sideways
Hands-on Works Best: Children, especially younger ones, learn science best and understand scientific ideas better if they are able to investigate and experiment. Hands-on science can also help children think critically and gain confidence in their own ability to solve problems. Some science teachers have explained it this way, “What engages very young children are things they can see, touch, and manipulate; situations that allow them to figure out what happens - in short, things they can investigate, which is the very stuff of science.”
The goals and objectives of these experiments are to help us all become more familiar with acid mine drainage. However, its ultimate goal is to encourage us to get outside, develop a better understanding about our environment through observation and experimentation, and help us become aware of how human activities can change the nature of our environment.