ED 333 Science Explorers: Inquiry, Wonder & Equity

Lecture Hours: 3
Credits: 3

Engages teacher candidates in the processes of scientific inquiry, exploration, and discovery through hands-on, curiosity-driven learning. Focuses on how to cultivate wonder, critical thinking, and equity in science instruction for all learners. Emphasizes strategies that make science accessible and engaging for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and gifted and talented students. Integrates literacy, communication, and problem-solving across scientific practices to foster inclusive, inquiry-based classrooms where every student can see themselves as a scientist.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Bachelor of Applied Science in Elementary Education Program, or instructor approval.
Maximum number of credits course can be taken for: 3

Student Learning Outcomes:

Explain key scientific inquiry processes and how children construct scientific understanding through exploration and experimentation.
Design inquiry-based science lessons that engage students in questioning, investigating, and communicating findings.
Apply differentiation and scaffolding strategies to ensure equitable participation of multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and gifted students.
Integrate literacy, mathematics, and technology to support science instruction and reinforce cross-disciplinary learning.
Use formative and summative assessment data to guide instruction and support students’ conceptual understanding.
Reflect on equity and representation in science curriculum and practice, identifying ways to make science culturally relevant and inclusive.

Content Outline

Foundations of Scientific Inquiry and Exploration
- Understanding how children develop scientific thinking through curiosity and play
- Key processes of inquiry: observing, questioning, investigating, and explaining
- The role of exploration, discovery, and reflection in science learning
Designing Inquiry-Based Science Lessons
Structuring hands-on investigations around real-world phenomena
Guiding students to ask meaningful questions and communicate findings
Assessing inquiry-based learning through observation and discussion
Differentiation and Equitable Access in Science Learning
- Scaffolding inquiry for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and gifted students
- Adapting materials and grouping strategies for diverse learning needs
- Promoting participation, voice, and agency in every classroom
Integrating Cross-Disciplinary Connections
- Linking literacy, mathematics, and technology to deepen science understanding
- Embedding reading, writing, and data representation in scientific inquiry
- Encouraging collaboration and communication through multimodal activities
Assessment and Responsive Instruction
- Using formative assessment to identify student misconceptions and guide instruction
- Applying summative assessments to evaluate conceptual understanding
- Using feedback loops to promote student reflection and self-assessment
Equity, Representation, and Inclusion in Science Education
- Examining whose stories and contributions are represented in science curricula
- Designing culturally relevant lessons that connect science to students’ communities
- Reflecting on the teacher’s role in fostering belonging and representation in STEM