In a NYTimes article today, “Expecting the Best Yields Results in Massachusetts”, researchers and teachers alike, agree that science education is much more effective using hands on experience. Hands on experience meant that students had to ‘explore and explain.’ After all, this mimics some of what science professionals do. One science educator describes their district’s approach, “hands on as much as possible.”
Apprentices at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering worked alongside of scientists and engineers learning science concepts. More importantly, they explored materials, asked questions, and shared ideas with science professionals. Apprentices at Wyss meant numerous engineering standards for the 8th graders. According to students, their apprenticeships offered a more complex and interesting view of science.
Watch our video on Apprentice reflections where science became a wider world of professional opportunities.
