New Perspectives in Science Education

Science education in the context of American elementary schooling has been traditionally isolated from the core subjects of mathematics, social studies and language arts. The paper identifies the aims for the second year of a five-year initiative (Unbounded Science) to integrate elementary science concepts into PS-5 core subject content, while establishing a methodology for assessing outcomes in its third year. The program, implemented in a progressive, independent elementary school, aims to enhance both student engagement and academic achievement by embedding “wonder” alongside scientific principles across subjects. Key components of the program include weekly field trips, twice weekly science based direct instruction periods, collaborative planning periods, in-class science specialist push-ins, child-centred science symposiums, and continuous professional development for classroom educators.

The paper seeks to measure the effects of this integrative approach through a mixed-methods analysis, which includes standardised test scores, teacher and student surveys, and observational data, resulting in a significant improvement in student understanding and retention of science concepts, which also correlates positively with performance in related academic areas. Furthermore, the program's hope is for teachers to report increased confidence in delivering science-rich content, enhanced by sustained professional development sessions and collaborative planning with science specialists.

Research demonstrates that frequent experiential learning opportunities deepens students' curiosity and critical thinking skills while also promoting interdisciplinary connections. Science teacher push-ins allow for real-time instructional support and enriched classroom discourse, and fosters a more holistic learning environment. Overall, we hope to support the hypothesis that the integration of science into core subjects can elevate educational outcomes, contributing to a more engaging and effective school-wide curriculum.This study underscores the importance of systemic support for educators through ongoing training and the strategic use of resources to facilitate interdisciplinary, science-rich teaching.

Keywords: Science integration, Cultivating Wonder, Experiential learning, Inquiry-led Project-based Learning, Unbounded Science, Outdoor Education, Place-Based Science, Elementary and Early Childhood

REFERENCES

[1 Gilbert, A. & Byers, C. ( 2020 ). Enacting wonder-infused pedagogy in an elementary science methods course. Innovations in Science Teacher Education . 5(1).

[2] Kohn, A. (2015). Progressive Education: Why it's Hard to Beat, But Also Hard to Find. Bank Street College of Education. Retrieved from https://educate.bankstreet.edu/progressive/2