Introduction

Over the course of human civilization, many elements of human living have been changed through the scientific discoveries that scientists continue to make every other day. The new scientific developments have made life easier and affected virtually every single detail of basic human activities – transport, communication, health – among others (McClellan & Dorn, 2015). Humans have realized the fundamental role that science plays in their existence, and have strived over the years to ensure that the knowledge is passed over to subsequent generations.

To ensure this continuity, the role the teachers play in passing this knowledge to students is vital. This report aims to have a look at the teachers’ roles in shaping future scientists. It explores the vital skills, including the critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities required of the students. The urge, intensity, and curiosity required of the students to help them master the new scientific knowledge are also discussed in nurturing the learners.

Significance of science studies

The importance of science education cannot be stressed enough; it has changed human life in every imaginable aspect. Many scholars support the idea that science is the most “supreme form of knowledge”, and this is rightly so. It has evolved with humankind throughout civilization, and new discoveries continue to occur (Waldinger, 2016). Science has also been included in the human education curriculum since time immemorial as it enables the passing of the already known discoveries. The teaching also passes vital scientific skills to the learners which are important in solving everyday human problems as well as advancing scientific scope through explorations and new discoveries. Scientific knowledge is considered immortal, as it is usually based on a factual basis through theories formed, experimented, analysed, and proven to be true.

To put the importance of scientific knowledge into context, it is crucial that the current major world economies be considered. Some of the most developed countries in the world – China, the United States, Australia, Germany, and many Western European countries – have heavily invested in scientific knowledge. The investment starts right from the educational institution where new learners are nurtured to take over the innovative mantle. In most of these countries, there is a heavy application of scientific principles and technology in their production. This has led to an upsurge in industrialization and has up-scaled food productivity in these countries. One common denominator in these nations is their inclinations towards the use of scientifically developed knowledge, and their ability to churn out competent scientists from their learning institutions to help further their development (Chhikara, 2015).

Science in the medical fraternity

Human and veterinary knowledge is one such area that has made huge strides through the numerous scientific innovations in the field. Before the invention of scientific medical practices, many people used to die from simple treatable flues, viruses, and bacteria. Through scientific observation, critical thinking, and analysis skills, medical experts have developed vaccines for most of these diseases and well as their curative skills (Asnake, 2015). Medical schools all over the world continue instilling valuable observation skills to their students and have come up with proven and trusted methods of dealing with both human and animal diseases. The human mortality rate has decreased as a result of the efforts of scientific knowledge.

Science and communication

Perhaps the most relatable way in which most people relate to the importance of scientific knowledge is on the transformation it has had on communication. Before the evolution of science to its current level, passing information used to Herculean task and involved the use of crude methods. The invention of the information and communication technology (ICT) has shaped the way people pass information to one another and conduct their businesses on a large scale (Prem, 2015). This was only possible through the innovative skills of science students. Communication alone as a scientific skill is also important as it forms the basis through which the teachers pass knowledge to their students. ICT has helped in the social media platforms and the internet, which has a wide array of information, usually just one click away.

Scientific inventions and machines

Since the time of the industrial revolution in Europe in the late eighteenth century, science has contributed to the invention of numerous machines that have made the life of humans more comfortable. The invention of machines has lowered the cost of production, increased productivity, and subsequently the profitability of all industrial sectors. The automobiles invented and which have since undergone massive transformation have made transportation faster and easier. Recent use of computerized robots in the production process has also helped humans to achieve formerly insurmountable tasks. Science educators in Australia and all over the world use their inferring skills to pass crucial information to their students. In scientific knowledge, the ability to apply the learnt knowledge to solve a problem is the ultimate goal.

The scientific learning approach is a very realistic and practical approach. The learning objectives are based on skills that are practical, and while it requires creative thinking abilities in coming up with some of the solutions, most of the approaches use logic (Cigrik & Ozkan, 2015). Unlike in other learning fields where theories are based on philosophical thinking and experience their scholars, scientific scholars conduct thorough research and experimentation before making conclusive arguments. The teaching curriculum seeks to nurture competent learners by an effective learning outcomes protocol with assessment criteria that goes beyond the basic understanding of the theoretical knowledge. The students in most scientific fields are required to demonstrate practical, creative, inventive, innovative, and problem-solving skills.

Importance of science education in the Australian curriculum

From all the analysis of the importance of scientific knowledge, the significance of teaching science to students from an early age cannot be emphasized enough. Science teaching helps in imparting many important skills to the learners that help shape their thinking abilities and how they relate to nature. Most of the scientific skills are easily relatable with the learners – and everyone else’s – life. The most basic scientific skill that is imparted in learners at all staged is the observation skill. Observation of the happenings around an individual helps in data collection and spur up curiosity. It is through the queries in the mind of an individual and the subsequent application of creativity and critical thinking skills that lead to scientific innovations.

Education in science stems from self-interest. While the teachers provide the instructions and guidance to the learners, the onus of learning lies with the student. Science learners are often required to challenge themselves and think ‘out of the box’, driven by their curiosity. The current Australian curriculum supports this view, stating the need for student-centred and curiosity-driven approach amongst the science students to help widen their thinking horizons. Application of the simple scientific theories in making practical solutions is very important in creating an innovative society (Gunecs & Bahcivan, 2018).

The curriculum focuses on learning science in three interrelated strands; an understanding of the various scientific processes and their categories, the nature of science as a human discipline, and the various scientific skills learnt and their importance (Gough, 2015). For instance, it is through the curiosity the Newton questioned the falling of the apple and came up with the concept of gravity. He had to think critically, using the various scientific skills at different stages of his research to eventually make the breakthrough.  

Role of science teachers

While teaching is generally a calling, teaching science has to be so deeply rooted in the teacher. The teachers teach from a personal experience perspective, always having to reflect on their ideas and use those ideas to come up with better ways to pass the invaluable scientific knowledge to their learners (Barak, 2017). The teachers play an important role as it is from their insights that the students get their fundamental beliefs on the topic. In a discipline as critical as science, it is mandatory that the teacher inspires the interest of the students from the very beginning, and help in feeding their unending curiosities.

One of the major skills required of a science teacher is patience. Patience is necessary when dealing with knowledge-thirsty, curious students who will always be asking many questions. A science teacher is also a scientist by nature, and must, therefore, possess the scientific skills (Alt, 2018). The teacher should be able to utilize the “5 Es” effectively to help achieve the curriculum objective. This way, the learning will be engaging the students and elicit curiosity through questions, provide the opportunity for the learners to explore new ideas, be able to provide detailed explanations of processes and phenomena, provide an elaborate contextual understanding and provide adequate evaluation through an assessment mechanism (Susilowati & Anam, 2017).

Conclusion

Science has changed the human life and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. The impact of this noble subject in human life over the years requires that the knowledge and skills be kept and passed on to future scientists. A well-structured curriculum ensures that it is possible to mentor young learners through effective learning techniques (Baynes, 2016). To achieve this efficiency, competency and the ability of the science teachers play a big role which must be appreciated. However, at any given time, the onus of scientific continuity lies with the learners who must show the zeal and willingness to explore, invent, and acquire the skills to enable them to make the breakthroughs.  

References

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