In an attempt to increase interests in the various fields of science, the new B.C. science curriculum focuses on the development of ‘Scientific Habits of Mind’.

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To foster scientific habits of mind in students, educators have investigated, in depth, how children learn Science and began to experiment with instructional innovations. Coaching, modeling, scaffolding, engaging in authentic learning tasks, collaboration and creating a community of scientific practice are some of the approaches that have been recently introduced in classrooms (Saleah & Khine, 2009). 

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Features of scientific habits of mind include:

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• A sustained intellectual curiosity

• An openness to new ideas and considerations of alternatives

• An appreciation of evidence

• An awareness of assumptions and a questioning of givens

• A healthy, informed skepticism

• A desire to seek patterns, connections and understanding

• A consideration of social, ethical and environmental implications (B.C. Ministry of Education, 2015b)

 

The goal of the scientific habits of mind is to equip students with thinking skills to pursue the discovery of innovations as well to understand science (B.C. Ministry of Education, 2015b).