Science Philosophy

In a rapidly changing world, where knowledge is growing exponentially, teaching students to think scientifically is as important as the accumulation of scientific information.

The Plainfield science program must provide opportunities for students to develop the understanding and skills necessary to function productively as scientifically literate citizens capable of solving problems in a scientific and technological world.  Inquiry provides the context within which science content is to be learned.

Scientific inquiry reflects how scientists come to understand the natural world, and it is at the heart of how students learn. From a very early age, children interact with their environment, ask questions, and seek ways to answer those questions.

Students come to the classroom with preconceptions about how the world works.  These preconceptions must be challenged so that students may construct their own understanding using first-hand exploration and investigation which includes observation, discussing data, drawing inferences based on data, and writing and illustrating conclusions based on evidence.