Method is a way something is done. Perhaps used for routine tasks.

Strategy usually requires some sort of planning. You’d probably use strategy when faced with a new
situation, e.g. the strategy to win a game.

Approach is treating something in a certain way.

1. The Constructivist Approach

The constructivist approach is based on the concept of constructivism. This is the belief that learners
create their own understanding of the world around them, and this understanding is based on
experience through their everyday lives as they grow. Using specific experiences, people transform
information they’ve accumulated into knowledge and understanding.

This approach is handy for allowing learners to take a more active role in the learning process, as it
encourages them to use their previous knowledge as a foundation for understanding new concepts, as
opposed to passively receiving information.

2. The Collaborative Approach

The collaborative approach puts a big emphasis on collaborative learning, which is the idea that learners
work together to gain a greater understanding of the information they’ve been presented with. The
strength of this approach is that learners can capitalize on each other’s understanding of the
information, and even their unique skills and resources.

This process allows for learners to create an environment where people can interact with each other by
sharing experiences and knowledge. This can be done in a variety of ways, including exchanging ideas
and information, and even evaluating or monitoring somebody else’s work.

3. The Reflective Approach

The reflective approach focuses primarily on analyzing what the teacher and learners are doing in the
classroom. It encourages thinking about teaching practices and figuring out ways to improve them in an
attempt to make learning processes more effective for a class of learners. This can be done through
processes such as self-evaluation and self-reflection, used as ways to essentially learn more about your
own practice, improve a certain practice (like small groups and cooperative learning) or to focus on a
problem learners are having.

Some specific forms of assessment that anyone can use in a reflective capacity are diary presentations
and journals.

4. The Integrative Approach

The integrative approach differs from the other teaching approaches in the sense that it tries to provide
learners with an environment where they can make connections between the current topic they’re
learning about and other topics they’ll come across at different stages of the curriculum. This means
that it tends to focus on specific connections between different bits of information, rather than facts in
isolation. While this approach is more commonly used in higher education, it can still be quite useful at
other stages of education too, as it can help learners gain a broader understanding of the world around
them by linking together bits of related information. Studies have shown that this kind of approach can
help learners stay engaged on the topics they’re learning about.

5. The Inquiry-Based Approach

The inquiry-based approach is unique in the sense that it encourages learners to engage in exploration,
investigation, research and study. It begins with presenting questions, scenarios or problems that
require critical thinking to solve, which is vastly different from other approaches where facts are
presented in simple manner.

This approach requires more than just simply giving the correct answers to questions and encourages
more thoughtful and engaged participation from learners. This makes it incredibly effective when
teaching science, as many science topics are more easily learned through an understanding of processes
rather than isolated facts.

Approaches To Teaching Natural Science And Technology

Learner-Centered Approach: The learner-centered approach shifts the focus from the teacher to the
students, considering their interests, abilities, and prior knowledge. The aim is to actively engage
students in the learning process, promoting critical thinking and independent learning.

Subject-Centered Approach: The subject-centered approach, as one of the 5 approaches to teaching

Problem-Centered Approach: The problem-centered approach focuses on real-world problems or

Innovative Teaching Methods and Strategies in Science

Student engagement and understanding of materials is given more emphasis in today’s education over
spoon feeding the facts.

Therefore, using black-boards or the typical lecture methods are not adequate to teach science and
other related subjects.

Many scholars and researchers have proposed advanced ideas and they claim that virtual teaching
scenarios or simulations can help to build a better understanding of subjects amongst students.

1. Hands on Learning:

This is the best teaching method invented so far that involves the active participation of students to
experience scientific concepts than to just have an audience view.
Schools are promoting the use of low cost apparatus in classrooms to helps students to have hands on
learning experience. It can be a string telephone to teach about sound and communication, matchstick
mecanno to teach 3D structures, notched pencil to teach rotation motion or anything similar.

2. Story Telling

Students love to hear stories and therefore, storytelling is one of the best ways to get their attention in
class.

Teacher can explain the facts of biology or the laws of physics in the form of stories. This is a mental
organizer as human brains can remember stories than just plain facts. Some teachers present the whole
concept as a story while some others use a story to open and end the session.

3. Role Play

This innovative method is becoming an integral part of science education as students can intellectually
and physically involve through activities while learning a new concept.

Activities can be organized in classroom sessions where a group of students can take the role of atoms
or molecules to study a chemical reaction or they can represent a scientist group to demonstrate the
particular scientist’s laws.

4. Visual clues

Using visual clues easily supplements auditory information and students can easily connect better with
ideas.

The multi-sensory experiences improve their understanding and memorization. This includes drawings,
diagrams, and pictures to assist theory and setting up examples to show its application side.

The sequence of lab procedures can be better taught using pictures with words approach.

5. Instructional Conversations

Building instructional conversations is a key method to teach science vocabulary. Let them talk in
between the lectures about the experience they had with an application related to the topic of
discussion.

This promotes their dialogue construction in science as they communicate using scientific and technical
terms. Make this a classroom strategy to help students to easily learn science vocabulary.

6. Science Text Cards

This is an innovative teaching method to convey the science facts in an easy and organized way. In this
activity, statements related to science concepts are written on index cards.

Students can work individually, pairs or in groups to sort the cards based on the given format. The
formats include true/false, agree/disagree, matching pairs, classification, sequencing and more.

7. Word Games
This is a creative strategy to help elementary students to experience the language of science. Hangman,
Pictionary, Dingbats, Bingo, Scrabble, Odd One Out, Charades, Trivial Pursuit etc. are the common
games.

Playing these games using scientific terms helps the students to work closely with different hard to
understand words and use them fluently in their subject.

8. Graphic Organizers

This teaching approach is helpful for students to interact with science in a more organized and
structured way. Teachers can use different types of templates to represent the data according to the
topic that is being handled.

A typical format for graphic organizer contains a central point from which different branches are formed
and there may be sub-branches in certain cases. Arrows are used to point the direction or sequence of a
process.

9. Word Parts

This teaching strategy is followed by teachers to educate the basics of science to elementary students.
While introducing new scientific terms, they can reinforce the structure of words.

Students are asked to identify and understand prefix, suffix, and base word, and to relate their
meanings. For example, metamorphosis — meta (large), morph (change), osis (process); photosynthesis
— photo (light), synth (make), isis (process).

10. Virtual science labs

There are many virtual science labs available online for free and therefore, this approach almost gives
hands on experience of learning the subject without much expense.

Detailed diagrams, illustrations or close up pictures allow students to virtually get inside a plant or
animal part without actually doing it. Dissections in biology can be studied thoughtfully with a virtual
hands-on sensation without the problem of odor and similarly, experiment a chemical reaction without
burns.

11. Thinking Maps

This is an ideal way to visually represent different thought processes which help to organize the science
education with a better flow. There are different types of thinking maps available which can be chosen
wisely to represent the particular topic.

This includes bridge maps to teach relation between ideas, brace maps to break larger objects into
smaller parts, flow maps to show sequence of events, multi-flow maps to show effects or causes of an
event, tree maps to classify objects or ideas and more.

12. Mini anchor charts

These interesting charts are a great idea to give a detailed overview or explanation of a science topic.
Teachers use it to interactively teach areas such as scientific methods, types of energy, plant life cycle,
states of matter, mixtures and solutions, force & motion and more.
To make the whole idea interesting, the teacher brings variations such as black and white charts, colored
ones; fill in the blank models, and full-page anchor charts for large classrooms.

13. Argue with Science

Learning through argumentation gives students a widened thinking to contrasting ideas which in turn
deepen their understanding.

They can refine ideas with others and engage with open-ended questions, and re-state observations or
remarks in a more scientific language. Teachers can also guide them in their approach and share the
intellectual expertise with them.

14. Context-Based Learning

In this method, students are given the opportunity to create context and explore ideas from them. They
interact with surroundings, hold conversations with subject experts, make relevant notes and attempt to
modify the nearby objects.

The context can be understood in detail by exploring the world around. This gradually helps them to
interpret new information from the context and relate to what they already know.

15. Computational thinking

This is an advanced technique to improve thinking and problem-solving skills. The method comprises
decomposition i.e. breaking large problems into small units and pattern recognition-related problems to
the ones which were already solved successfully in the past.

Computational thinking skills also cover algorithms-step by step approach to reach a solution;
abstraction-neglecting unimportant details and debugging-refining these steps.

16. Remote labs

Learning by doing is an unparalleled approach to teach science and this is made a reality with remote
labs. Students are given access to authentic scientific tools and opportunities to control remote lab
experiments.

This would enhance their inquiry skills and conceptual understanding and also, the students can learn
and explore with motivation.

17. Embodied Learning

In this approach, mind and body of the students work together to explore science. The physical
feedback, as well as the resultant actions, will reinforce their learning process.

This idea is well supported by today’s technology such as visual systems that track movement or
wearable sensors to collect physical and biological data.

18. Science museums

Give opportunity to students to visit a science museum as part of the learning process. This gives them
access to innovative resources and they can visualize data they learned in class.
They can have a look at the real work of scientists which improves their urge to learn about it further.
Regular visits to museums make learning science more engaging and interesting.

19. Projects

This can be an individual activity or group activity which helps students to showcase the application side
of what they learnt through theory.

This method involves choosing the idea, building a plan, executing the plan and finally evaluating it.
When students pass through these stages, they can improve their skills to express ideas, problem
solving, overcoming the challenges, team work and self assessment.

20. Multimedia Approach

This method is a blend of text, audio, animation, video, still images or interactivity content forms to
teach diverse difficult to understand concepts in science.

The educator can convey vast information using advanced media, devices and techniques, and involve a
wide range of activities to provide a meaningful learning experience.

21. ICT Enabled Learning

ICT refers to the use of Information and Communications Technology to teach the scientific ideas that
promotes open source learning.

In order to make the accessing, storing, transmitting, and manipulation of information more easy, this
approach integrates telecommunications, computers and relevant enterprise software, storage,
middleware, and audio-visual systems required to handle the topic.

22. Video clips

This teaching technique makes use of instructional video clips available online or in libraries to show and
each a new concept.

The evolution of a process can be conveyed better with animation videos. It can also be videos of
demonstration of an idea or an application side of a theory or an interview with a scientist, tutorial by a
subject expert and more.

23. Power Points

Instead of the conventional talk and chalk methods, teachers now include power point presentations in
their classroom sessions to make it more interesting.

They connect the computers to projectors to address a larger classroom and include interesting slides
with diagrams and flow charts to make the teaching more interactive.

24. Science Fair

Schools should conduct science fairs as part of their teaching strategy to promote students interest in
the subject as well as to evaluate their level of understanding.
In this competition, students are given a time frame to answer a question or perform a task through a
range of experiments and research. They showcase the output in the form of reports, display board, or
as models.

25. Research books

The teacher can promote the use of research books in classrooms rather than just text books and
lecture notes. Students are asked to do a research on whatever topic is covered in class by means of
libraries, websites or by talking with experts.

This can include the extended information of their syllabus and their findings with diagrams and charts
to emphasize it. They can share their research books with classmates too.

26. Documented Problem Solving

In this method, the teacher insists students record their thought process when solving a problem. They
are asked to explain their reasoning for reaching the particular solution rather than simply presenting a
solution.

This kind of documented problem solving helps them to have a deeper understanding of their process
and gives an option for self-analysis.

27. Science kit

This is one of the innovative methods of teaching science to kids and adults alike. Let it be physical
science, life science, or earth science, teachers are now making use of science kits to help students have
an engaging educational experience.

They can conduct small experiments with guided instructions to identify rock specimens, to watch out
for insect metamorphosis or demonstrate chemistry reactions.

28. Science stations

This is a fun, quick and engaging way to teach science that promotes student-led learning. Science
stations support differentiated learning that lets students immerse themselves in topics, experience
science to the fullest and then reflect back on their learning.

There will be multiple stations built with different learning styles and students can research, explore,
watch, read, write, assess and illustrate the science concepts.

29. Peer-to-Peer Teaching

Students take the role of teaching each other that promotes excitement learning science. In Peer-to-
Peer Teaching approach, they are really engaged in the content by discussing scientific topics,
generating questions and working in teams to explore new information.

Some of the activities involved in this approach include buzz groups, solution groups, and critic groups.
 30. Science movies

Teachers take initiatives to take them for science movies in theatres or in school halls that clearly
showcase the application side of scientific concepts.

More than just entertaining them, many science movies captivate their attention and illustrate diverse
science concepts in the real world. Science and nature-focused documentaries is one of the best ways to
introduce science to kids than spoon feeding them with text book content.

31. Science games for kids

Kids always love to play and that is why smart teachers introduce science to them with interesting
games. They can learn more about science and technology with fun.

A wide range of games are available online that showcase the concepts of animals, plants, space, forces,
light, sounds, magnets, electricity, weather and gases. There are games with multiple levels and passing
each level teaches a new concept and illustrates scientific experiments.

32. Science songs

This is another creative teaching method to help kids to learn about the science world with fun.
Teachers can make use of the interesting science songs available online or create one to introduce the
basics of astronomy, biology, botany, physical science and earth science with fun.

Science Is Real, Meet the Elements, The Star Song and Motion Song are a few among the popular
science songs available online.

33. Field trips

In the middle of boring classroom sessions, take your students out for field trips to experience science
while learning. Go to an aquarium, a nature center, a scientist’s home or visit a pet store.

You can also spend some time with the students in the bird park or simply go on a nature walk to
experience the science around while learning new concepts.

34. Science clubs

Set up science clubs in your schools or community, which is an ideal approach to STEM education that
assimilates high quality hands-on instruction.

This is the right place for science enthusiasts to share and discuss new happenings in the science world
and to connect innovative ideas to what they actually learned.

35. Reward discovery

Right from the elementary classes, teachers should support, guide and inspire students to discover the
wonders of science.

With an inquisitive mindset, there are a lot to discover from the science world we are living in. Also,
reward them for the small discoveries they make and let them share and present it in class.
 36. Interactive science journals

This is an advanced version of lecture notes in which students express the information they learnt into
different templates and elicit their own responses.

Students can use this technique effectively to have a deeper connection to their learning and this
activity promotes their higher level thinking. They can be creative with their notebooks using pictures,
charts and comments, thus, building an encompassing resource for future reference.

37. Science at home

Like scientists say, science starts from home. Encourage your students to discover science at home from
elementary classes itself. Ask them to find out a specific science concept application at home as
assignments and let them discover science on the go.

There are fun science activities at home that involve parents and kids such as measuring Earth’s
circumference with a shadow, creating under water fireworks with chemistry, building a balloon
powered toy car and a lot more.

38. Flipped Classroom

In this innovative teaching technique, students are asked to go through video instructions or tutorials in
the initial stage, i.e. digital learning.

The second stage will be in classrooms where they involve in challenging tasks and assignments based
on the information gathered through video assets. This flipped learning frees up class time for activities
such as hands-on labs, guided practice or online simulations.

39. Guided Discovery Problems

Understanding science is more than just knowing some facts and the guided discovery problems method
makes it possible. This technique can be integrated into the lecture, lab and field courses.

It refers to understanding science step-by-step through the discovery process and involves the collection
and processing of data, debugging and explaining it through intriguing puzzles, structured hands-on
activities and right presentation of information.

The conceptually difficult or counter-intuitive topics are better handled with this approach.

40. Science Quiz

Include a quiz as a part of your classroom sessions when teaching science. This can be done as a whole
class activity by splitting the group into 4 or more sets. The questions can include the application of the
theory taught in class. Students can discuss and share ideas to find the solution within the stipulated
time frame. This teaching approach helps students to think from different angles and sometimes, to
think out of the box.