As the only sixth grade science teacher in my building, my only science colleagues are the seventh and eighth grade science teachers. Unfortunately, our eighth grade science teacher, who has been teaching less years than me, refuses to take suggestions or advice from others. He is very dedicated to working straight from the textbook and does not wish to stray from it. Needless to say, he and I do not see eye-to-eye on what science education looks like. I struggle with him on a regular basis as to the progression of science skills students should possess has they move through the middle school. We did however hire a new seventh grade science teacher this past year and she has already tried several inquiry-based labs with her students. It has been great to work with her and share the ideas I have gained through my masters program. Through the next school year, I hope to work with her to develop expectations for our students so that their science skills can continue to grow. In the fall I will be hosting a student teacher for the first time. I believe this will be an excellent opportunity to work with another science educator to share the ideas of STEM and inquiry-based learning.
Where I would like to see a greater connection is with the elementary students. Teachers at the elementary level are required to teach great deals of reading, writing, and math, leaving little time for science or social studies. My hope would be to collaborate with these teachers to develop ways to integrate science into their math and technology time frames. I also believe that pulling science into their reading and writing would be extremely beneficial as it introduces students to informational reading and writing.
I realize that in a district that stresses the importance of reading, writing, and math, science tends to take a back seat. My overall goal is to help others see how science can actually connect to any subject and to stress the importance of our students exploring STEM education.
Being an elementary school teacher, I have worked in schools where the major focus seems to be on math and reading which dramatically reduces the amount of time spent on science instruction. I like your idea of collaborating with elementary teachers to help them develop ways to integrate more science into their curriculum. I think it is important for students to gain experience with problem solving and inquiry-based learning beginning in elementary school. This will prove to be beneficial throughout their educational careers and when then enter the 21st-century workforce in the future.
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