When it comes to learning science, most of us were taught in the public school system, which is a huge proponent of random facts teaching methodology. In other words, science was a single subject that was taught in a vacuum separate from other subjects. When it comes to teaching difficult or complex subjects like science, it makes more sense to take a holistic approach. This is why.

The Science Random Fact Trash Drawer

Lately there has been a lot of news about the crisis in American education in regards to the lack of interest in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). The United States is lagging behind other developed countries when it comes to new technologies and discoveries, mainly because it is producing fewer graduates with related degrees.

One of the reasons for this lack of interest in STEM disciplines is due to the way children are taught. Students often learn a little science here and a little science there without being provided a logical way to connect the dots. This collection of random data can be compared to the garbage drawer at home – you know that there is a screwdriver in the middle of all those rubber bands, clips, batteries and devices somewhere, you just can’t find it among all the clutter.

The same is true of children learning science. For example, if a child learns something about the earth and the moon and how the shadow of our planet can cause a lunar eclipse, it is an interesting but random fact. You may have also taught your child some astronomy concepts and explained how the moon affects the ocean tides. Perhaps your child has also learned something about gravity and the gravitational pull of the moon. But if you are using a lot of conventional homeschooling science curricula, those facts were never put together to show the student how the moon is at the center of all these facts and that they are interrelated. This is why it is so difficult for many children (and adults alike!) To jump between a scientific fact and how it impacts so many other areas of the world around us. This also makes it very difficult to extract a random fact later because the child must rely on rote learning.

The holistic approach to science teaching

A better and more effective way to teach science in homeschooling is through an exponential approach. By helping children make their own connection between subjects, they are much better equipped to draw broader conclusions. This is also a great way to foster their natural curiosity and develop hands-on experimentation that brings exciting new discoveries into the child’s mind.

The whole approach to home science teaching is about extrapolation. Once your student has assimilated some basic concepts, he is ready to expand that knowledge and apply it to different everyday situations.

For example, let’s go back to that random fact about the moon’s gravitational pull on Earth. That is a physical concept and that explains a lot about a lunar eclipse, which is a topic that is generally mentioned in astronomy. Those same gravitational forces at work when it comes to ocean tidal cycles, a topic that can be part of learning biology. By painting the big picture, a student can connect the dots between physics and astronomy and biology and get excited about learning more.

This approach also compartmentalizes and organizes bits of information so that they can be easily retrieved at will and on demand. And it helps the homeschool science teacher, who often does not understand information on her own, to present complex concepts and help the student to reach a conclusion that should not be forgotten.

When it comes to teaching a difficult subject like science, the homeschool teacher would do well to use a comprehensive scientific approach rather than relying on a random facts methodology.