Stage 3

“I think, therefore I am"

 - René Descartes's

Thinking Scientifically

Facts and or things claiming to be facts are easily accessible for young people in the 21st century. Like never before, children can access volumes of information. And because this information is not always reliable, it is more important than ever, that young students are taught the thinking strategies and models to help decipher the credible from the credulous. One model for thinking is that of a scientist. The Harvard Business School site the following as key principles of thinking like a scientist;

(1) being a knowledgeable sceptic and relentlessly questioning assumptions; 

(2) investigating anomalies—things that are unexpected or don’t look right; 

(3) devising testable hypotheses that can be quantifiably confirmed or disproved; 

(4) running experiments that produce hard evidence; and 

(5) probing cause and effect.

The skills associated with thinking scientifically and design and production are also integral in our science and technology syllabus. Stage 3 students have had ample opportunities to practice those skills in the last month. Below are some pictures from our Science Incursion with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust and the University of New England Discovery Program, our investigation into electricity at Thalgarrah Environmental Education  Centre and our excursion to Armidale Secondary College to participate in the Future Teachers STEM challenge.

Zane Osborn

Assistant Principal, Stage 3