Why Is Science Instruction in the Early Grades So Scarce? Elementary Educators Perspectives on the Role of Science Instruction in the Early Grades (Poster 16)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Friday 8:00 a.m.
  In Poster Session: Science Teaching and Learning

Abstract

The early elementary grades are an important time for children to develop interest in science and foundations in scientific reasoning. Yet, science is often an overlooked subject in elementary education. This study implemented a two-phase mixed methods approach to explore elementary educators' confidence in their capacity to teach science and their perspectives on the importance of science in the elementary classroom . 49 elementary educators completed a survey in which they were asked to rate their confidence in teaching science, and to rank the importance of doing so. The second phase entailed in depth semi-structured interviews with a sub sample of the original participants.

Author

• Emily Anne Lyons, Springfield College