A Path to Unlocking Deep Learning in Science
Hands-on, minds-on learning experiences help ensure that students gain a deep understanding of science concepts.
For many educators, the term constructivism brings to mind a core principle from their teacher preparation, which is a frequent topic in academic literature, appearing in peer-reviewed articles on platforms like EBSCOhost.
Meaningful learning happens through active involvement
To truly embed this learning-by-doing approach—and meet the goals of modern frameworks like the Next Generation Science Standards—we can focus on four essential elements.
Teachers who already use hands-on activities can make a smooth transition to constructivist approaches by shifting the focus from just hands-on to encouraging minds-on learning.
Author summary: Hands-on and minds-on learning for deep science understanding.
- Focus on minds-on learning
- Apply constructivist theory
- Meet Next Generation Science Standards
- Shift from hands-on to minds-on activities