What Scientists Do: Engaging in Science Practices through a Wonder-Framed Nature Study

Steph Dean; Andrew Gilbert

doi:10.21601/ijese/11136

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Steph Dean ¹ ^* , Andrew Gilbert ¹

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¹ College of Education and Human Development, George Mason University, UNITED STATES^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Despite recent reforms concerning how students engage in science, there have been significant challenges for educators seeking to consistently implement science practices within the classroom. This study considered science practices within a wonder-framed nature study as one possible way for educators to support students as they take on the role of scientists. We interviewed twenty students in Grades 3 through 5 who had participated in wonder journaling sessions outdoors that led to an investigative project and presentation. The evidence suggests that students strongly engaged in investigative science practices, and that they also experienced opportunities for sensemaking and critiquing practices. Through a qualitative data analysis, four main themes emerged that provide insight into the experiences of the students within the study: joy, community, autonomy, and challenges. The data indicate that wonder is an authentic and viable route towards the implementation of the science practices within an elementary school setting. The implications of this study are considerable and offer strategies for educators seeking to incorporate science practices in an authentic way that integrates both wonder and outdoor learning.

Keywords

science practices
NGSS
wonder
outdoor learning
nature journaling

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED, Volume 17, Issue 4, 2021, Article No: e2255

https://doi.org/10.21601/ijese/11136

Publication date: 11 Aug 2021

Article Views: 2194

Article Downloads: 1599

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How to cite this article

APA

Dean, S., & Gilbert, A. (2021). What Scientists Do: Engaging in Science Practices through a Wonder-Framed Nature Study. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 17(4), e2255. https://doi.org/10.21601/ijese/11136

Vancouver

Dean S, Gilbert A. What Scientists Do: Engaging in Science Practices through a Wonder-Framed Nature Study. INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED. 2021;17(4):e2255. https://doi.org/10.21601/ijese/11136

AMA

Dean S, Gilbert A. What Scientists Do: Engaging in Science Practices through a Wonder-Framed Nature Study. INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED. 2021;17(4), e2255. https://doi.org/10.21601/ijese/11136

Chicago

Dean, Steph, and Andrew Gilbert. "What Scientists Do: Engaging in Science Practices through a Wonder-Framed Nature Study". Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education 2021 17 no. 4 (2021): e2255. https://doi.org/10.21601/ijese/11136

Harvard

Dean, S., and Gilbert, A. (2021). What Scientists Do: Engaging in Science Practices through a Wonder-Framed Nature Study. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 17(4), e2255. https://doi.org/10.21601/ijese/11136

MLA

Dean, Steph et al. "What Scientists Do: Engaging in Science Practices through a Wonder-Framed Nature Study". Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, vol. 17, no. 4, 2021, e2255. https://doi.org/10.21601/ijese/11136