In the context of high school education, "Interactions" specifically refers to a particular science curriculum designed to shift students' understanding of the scientific field.
The Interactions Science Curriculum
Based on the provided reference, The Interactions curriculum introduces students to science as an endeavor, a process we engage in, rather than solely a set of discoveries by others. This means the curriculum emphasizes the active nature of science – how scientists actually work, investigate, and build knowledge – rather than just presenting a list of established facts and findings.
Science as an Endeavor and Process
This approach highlights several key aspects of science education:
- Active Engagement: Students are encouraged to participate directly in scientific practices, mirroring how scientists conduct research.
- Investigation and Exploration: The focus shifts from memorizing results to understanding how those results are obtained through experimentation, observation, and critical thinking.
- Skill Development: Students develop skills crucial for scientific inquiry, such as asking questions, designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and forming conclusions based on evidence.
- Understanding the Scientific Method: The curriculum likely delves into the iterative and sometimes non-linear nature of the scientific method, showing it as a dynamic process rather than a rigid, step-by-step procedure.
Why This Approach?
Teaching science as a process helps students:
- Develop stronger critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Gain a deeper appreciation for how scientific knowledge is constructed and validated.
- See science as a relevant and accessible field they can participate in.
- Become more scientifically literate citizens capable of evaluating information.
Instead of just learning what was discovered, students learn how to discover. This prepares them not just for further scientific study but for approaching complex problems in any field.
