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HBSC1203 TEACHING SCIENCE FOR LOWER PRIMARY 1
ROSYIDAH BT IBRAHIM
810809-02-5494
1
Introduction
The purpose of science education is to enable individuals to use scientific process skills; in
other words, to be able to define the problems around them, to observe, to analyze, to hypothesize, to
experiment, to conclude, to generalize, and to apply the information they have with the necessary
skills. Scientific process skills (SPS) include skills that every individual could use in each step of
his/her daily life by being scientifically literate and increasing the quality and standard of life by
comprehending the nature of science. Therefore, these skills affect the personal, social, and global
lifes of individuals. The SPS are a necessary tool to produce and use scientific information, to
perform scientific research, and to solve problems. These skills can be gained by students through
certain science education activities (Harlen, 1999; Huppert, Lomask & Lazarorcitz, 2002). For
example, the purpose of learning by using a research study is to help teach the scientific processes.
The students undertaking a scientific research study can learn the processes of science (Dhillon,
1996).
Scientists use their creativity in every stage of scientific research (Abd-el Khalick &
Lederman, 2000). So the creativity has a supplementary role in many scientific processes. It is used
especially in introducing problems and hypotheses and designing experiments. That¶s why science is
a process containing the creativity components affecting each step of life, in addition to being a
product (Saxena, 1994). Individuals need to think creatively and to be able to use their scientific
process skills in order to develop a fundamental scientific understanding. And creative scientists are
required to find useful and new solutions for the problems existing in daily life. Creative scientists
are much more sensitive regarding problems. Every educated individual may not be a scientist, but it
is important for each person to begin his or her educational life by applying creative thinking. All
individuals who learned to think creatively while dealing with the scientific work can also apply
these skills in other areas (Meador, 2003). Although creativity is accepted as a problem solving skill
in research literature, it requires creative performance, recognizing the problem, thinking differently,
and finding solutions. Recognizing the problem plays an extremely important role in the creative
process (Erdener, 2003).
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HBSC1203 TEACHING SCIENCE FOR LOWER PRIMARY 1
ROSYIDAH BT IBRAHIM
810809-02-5494
2
1. Three important components to teaching and learning biology.
Figure 1
i) Scientific Method
The scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore
observations and answer questions. Scientists use the scientific method to search
for cause and effect relationships in nature. In other words, they design an experiment so
that changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way.Just as it does for a professional scientist, the scientific method will help you to focus
your science fair project question, construct a hypothesis, design, execute, and evaluate
your experiment.
Scientific method
Scientific skills Scientific attitudes
and noble values
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HBSC1203 TEACHING SCIENCE FOR LOWER PRIMARY 1
ROSYIDAH BT IBRAHIM
810809-02-5494
3
Steps of the Scientific Method
Ask a Question: The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you
observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?
And, in order for the scientific method to answer the question it must be about something that you
can measure, preferably with a number.
Do Background Research: Rather than starting from scratch in putting together a plan for
answering your question, you want to be a savvy scientist using library and Internet research to help
you find the best way to do things and insure that you don't repeat mistakes from the past.
Construct a Hypothesis: A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work:
"If _____ [I do this] _____, then _____ [this] _____ will happen."
You must state your hypothesis in a way that you can easily measure, and of course, your
hypothesis should be constructed in a way to help you answer your original question.
Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment: Your experiment tests whether your hypothesis
is true or false. It is important for your experiment to be a fair test. You conduct a fair test by
making sure that you change only one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same.You should also repeat your experiments several times to make sure that the first results weren't just
an accident.
Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion: Once your experiment is complete, you collect your
measurements and analyze them to see if your hypothesis is true or false.
Scientists often find that their hypothesis was false, and in such cases they will construct a new
hypothesis starting the entire process of the scientific method over again. Even if they find that their
hypothesis was true, they may want to test it again in a new way.
Communicate Your Results: To complete your science fair project you will communicate your
results to others in a final report and/or a display board. Professional scientists do almost exactly the
same thing by publishing their final report in a scientific journal or by presenting their results on a
poster at a scientific meeting.
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HBSC1203 TEACHING SCIENCE FOR LOWER PRIMARY 1
ROSYIDAH BT IBRAHIM
810809-02-5494
4
The importance of the scientific method is to find the most accurate answer possible for
the certain experiment.
ii) Scientific skills
The first step in implementing a skills-based approach to science instruction begins
by carefully defining what we would like children to be able to do. Discovery
Works organizes science skills into three separate groups: Process Skills, Reasoning
Skills, and Critical Thinking Skills. These groups correspond to three distinct types of
cognitive skills. Process skills are used to gather information about the world. Reasoning
skills help children make sense of the information they gather by fostering an open mind,
curiosity, logic, and a data-based approach to understanding the world. Critical thinking
skills require students to apply information in new situations and in solving problems.
SCIENCE PROCESS SK ILLS
SK ILL DESCRIPTION
Observing Determining the properties of an object or event by using the senses
Classifying Grouping objects or events according to their properties
Measuring/Using
Numbers
Skills include:
y Describing quantitatively using appropriate units of measurement
y Estimatingy Recording quantitative data
y Space or time relationships
CommunicatingUsing written and spoken words, graphs, tables, diagrams, and other information presentations, including those that are technology based
Inferring Drawing a conclusion about a specific event based on observations anddata; may include cause and effect relationships
PredictingAnticipating consequences of a new or changed situation using past
experiences and observation
Collecting, Recording,and Interpreting Data
Manipulating data, either collected by self or by others, in order to make
meaningful information and then finding patterns in that information thatlead to making inferences, predictions and hypotheses
Identifying and
Controlling Variables
Identifying the variables in a situation; selecting variables to be
manipulated and held constant
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HBSC1203 TEACHING SCIENCE FOR LOWER PRIMARY 1
ROSYIDAH BT IBRAHIM
810809-02-5494
5
Defining OperationallyDefining terms within the context of one's own experiences; stating adefinition in terms of "what you do" and "what you observe"
Making Hypotheses Proposing an explanation based on observations
ExperimentingInvestigating, manipulating materials, and testing hypotheses to determine
a resultMaking and Using
Models
Representing the "real world" using a physical or mental model in order to
understand the larger process or phenomenon
iii) Scientific Attitude and Noble Values
Noble values and scientific attitudes can be inculcated through the learning of science.
Through science activities children will develop an interest and curiosity about their
surroundings. They will learn to be objective and systematic in carrying out
investigations. Children also learn to be honest and accurate in record data. They
develop concern for living things and an awareness of their responsibility towards the
environment.
Scientific attitude and noble values :-
a) Curios and interest towards the environment;
b) Honest and accurate in recording and validating data;
c) Flexible and open-minded;
d) Patient in conducting experiments or understanding events;
e) Systematic and confident;
f) Cooperative;
g) Responsible towards self-safety and of others as well as the environment.
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HBSC1203 TEACHING SCIENCE FOR LOWER PRIMARY 1
ROSYIDAH BT IBRAHIM
810809-02-5494
6
2. The Advantages and Drawbacks of The Genetic Engineering
The application of genetic engineering on human beings relates to the controlled alteration of
all the genes in the human chromosomal. Deoxyribonucleic acid, otherwise known as DNA, is
responsible for the genetic characteristics for every living organism. It can influence the
individual's physical appearance, actions and abilities. Now with the advance of DNA
technology, scientists are able to change the gene expressions and the individuals' abilities,
cognitively, communally or physically. In my essay, I will analyze the pros and cons of human
genetic engineering by presenting two sides of an argument and my personal opinions on the
topic itself.
Genetic engineering is use to repair damages or replace the missing genes in those who have
genetic disorders in the form of gene therapy otherwise known as somatic. This state of genetic
engineering can help lessen many genetic disorder problems, such as severe combined
immunodeficiency, cystic fibrosis and so on. The process of somatic undertakes a non-
pathogenic virus system. The good copy of the individual's genes is been inserted into liposomes,
which are the microscopic fatty droplets. The new cells would separate as normal cells and eachdivision would stimulate the destined cells trait. The result of the procedure would be that the
individual would then have the gene cells that were absent previously. Personally, I think this
trade of genetic engineering is useful as it helps those who have genetic disorders and make them
better. This can lead to a improved future for them, as they do not feel isolated from the society
because of their health problems.
On the contrary, genetic disorders only represent a small fraction of the ill health burden.
Despite this figures, a large disproportionate amount of research funding is being spend on gene
therapy protocols, yet however in spite of many years of research, none of the protocols have so
far succeeded. Adenoviruses, a type of pathogenic attenuated vectors are use to transfer genes
into patients. In this case, the genes may experience an unflavoured manner as it combines with
wild type versions of viruses in the body and this generally results to further complications. It
can weaken the patient or even can lead to fatal. This gene therapy has already resulted one death
from their use. Even though it can be great achievements on patients with disorders of genetic, I
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HBSC1203 TEACHING SCIENCE FOR LOWER PRIMARY 1
ROSYIDAH BT IBRAHIM
810809-02-5494
7
feel that it is unnecessary for researchers to invest a large amount of money for the therapy
protocols. These huge sums can help those who are hungry, homeless and so on.
DNA resulting from gene-splicing is use in genetic screening that is to test the patient's
genomes for gene distinguishes which might later result to genetic disorders. This procedure is
also tested on unborn babies for the sign of mongolism, also known as Down's syndrome. These
abnormal chromosomes resulting to mental deficiency, slanted eyes and short broad hands, cause
this disease. Any unwanted foetuses can be aborted hence it will gradually decrease the
undeliverable population traits. Gene screening can also be carried out on embryos produced for
in vitro fertilisation, IVF. This method will save implanting embryos with undesired
characteristics for example the gender of the baby. Soon, parents might be able to create babies
designed to meet their own wishes.
Sperms and eggs from intelligent and attractive people are already offered for sale on the
Internet. This means that by genetically extract the right DNA from the sperms and eggs,
scientist will be able to design a perfect human being of the parents' desires. Although this
manner of proceeding will result to the decrease number of unwanted babies and help those who
are infertile in the form of IVF, I feel that designer babies is not morally right as the individual
would be an instrument of the parents' desires and reflects their vanity and selfishness self.
An argument to follow my opinion is as follow. IVF procedure is highly wasteful of eggs,
sperms and embryos. Hundreds are needed for one successful implantation. Each and every one
of the embryos has a potential to be a full human beings. So, is it morally right for parents to kill
the numerous amounts of unwanted embryos just because they do not qualify the parents' desire?
Surely not. This treatment could lead human beings to be egotistical and only care about one's
self. In addition, Down's syndrome children are often regards as a gift in their families. These
special children are grateful of their lives and they also propose opportunities for family
members to learn and develop the skills and knowledge which they might not developed
previously. Also how the society that we live in changes its attitude as it accepts those people
with essential needs and disabilities.
Experimentally, gene therapy is being applied to treat cancer. Cancer is the major class of
diseases in the total burden of ill health. The advantage of this procedure is that it only aims at
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HBSC1203 TEACHING SCIENCE FOR LOWER PRIMARY 1
ROSYIDAH BT IBRAHIM
810809-02-5494
8
the cancerous cells therefore avoiding collateral damage to other tissues on the surrounding by
the chemical therapies and current radiation. This technique is effective as it prevents any further
complications on the patients as it only targets on the damage cancerous cells. Also, the patient
will be least affected by the radiation. If gene therapy is approved and could be done widely, it
will reduce the amount of patients with cancerous problems.
Conversely, cancer is influenced by the environmental circumstances as food, water, lifestyle
and carcinogenic chemicals in air, by tackling these factors, we will be able to reduce the
numerous amount of cancer rather than using the technology of gene therapy. Also, whilst
removing the cancer growth, the doctor might not observed the underlying causes of the cancer
and as a result, a tumour will formed. It will take another chemical therapy to remove it and
therefore it just creates more problems and money is needed to pay for the treatment. Therefore, I
generally feel that it is a waste of time, effort and money to try to reduce the major class of
diseases when it can be done through the every day lifestyles of the individuals that is by looking
after their health diet.
In conclusion, I would consider that genetic engineering has its advantage and disadvantages.
It can help those with genetic disorders and treat cancer in a form of gene therapy. It is also
useful for infertile parents who wished to have a child of their own. On the other hand, it makeshuman beings to become selfish. Just a tiny error can cause a fatal result on the patients and can
lead to death. On the whole, I feel that genetic engineering is morally right thing to do if is done
in a well manner with careful concentration and without selfishness. I believe that designer
babies and cloning is morally wrong as it is an act of egoism and manifest.1
1Izra Jute (2010)
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810809-02-5494
9
Conclusion
Various activities can be used by teachers in teaching science subjects to attract students to
learn science. In learning science, teaching in the classroom should be more focused involvement of
students. While the teacher as facilitator to guide students to perform an activity.
As we know, learning science will be more meaningful if done in a hands-on, not only in minds-on.
Activities conducted by students in hands-on will enhance their understanding further facilitate their
making long-term memory.
The basic underlying principle of science process skills rest upon the premise that science has
to be taught as a procedure of inquiry. Therefore student must be taught to be careful and responsible
in conducting experiments, recording and analysing data and making conclusion. This is important
because students must be aware of the consequence and impact of the studies done to oneself and to
the community and the nature. They must be taught that many of the scientific studies done
benefited mankind and many were done to destroy human civilisation.
Students must be taught of the consequences that will emerge when scientific investigations
are carried out with incorrect procedures. Student must also be highlighted of the danger on theenvironment when the products of scientific research are dumped to the environment. Teachers must
remind students about these issues in the classroom and help students to posses the appropriate
scientific attitudes and values.
Teachers who are creative in designing teaching and learning science in the classroom not
only can attract student interest, but also to inculcate scientific attitudes and values that can guide the
students throughout their life. Science is not a small field, but very wide scope. All knowledge
learned in school that allows students to apply them in their daily lives. For example,
implementation of value on the importance of environmental care will make students more
responsible in protecting and preserving the environment around them.
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Bibliography
Carin, A. A. (1993). Teaching science through discovery. New York: Macmillan.
Poh, S. H. (2005). Science pedagogy 2: Science teaching and learning strategy.Kuala Lumpur:
Budiman.
Poh, S. H. (2005). Science pedagogy 3: Science process skills. Kuala Lumpur: Budiman.
Poh, S. H. (2005). Science pedagogy 4: Science resources and laboratory management.Kuala
Lumpur: Budiman.
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml
http://www.helium.com/items/1125708-the-application-of-genetic-engineering-designer-
babies?page=2