Engaging Students in an Intellectually Honest Form of Scientific Theory-Building

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Building Understanding and Theory With Data

Abstract

Theory building is a central practice of science. Despite its importance, students are not trained in it, even at the graduate level. We should begin introducing students to scientific theory building at a young age. I offer the design of a middle school course meant to engage students in an “intellectually honest form” of scientific theory building. I present 12 elements of scientific theory building and describe students’ engagement in each in the context of the theory-building course. The study makes a theoretical contribution to work characterizing the nature of science practices, an empirical contribution to work documenting the continuities between experts and novices, and a practical contribution to science education through the design of the course.

Author

• Hillary Lucille Swanson, Utah State University