Importance of Teaching Science in Elementary School

Elementary school students are naturally curious, which makes science an ideal subject for them to learn. Science allows students to explore their world and discover new things. It is also an active subject, containing activities such as hands-on labs and experiments. This makes science well-suited to active younger children. Science is an important part of the foundation for education for all children.

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Science teaches children necessary skills that they can use in other areas of their lives. Kidsource.com reports, "Early experiences in science help children develop problem-solving skills and motivate them toward a lifelong interest in the natural world."

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Students who study science early on are better equipped to handle scientific issues facing our world in the future. The Geological Society of America states, "Prominent issues facing us include land use and development, availability of energy and mineral resources, water resources and quality, preservation of wetlands, erosion, waste management, pollution remediation and geological hazards." Students who are familiar with these issues through science classes may be able to solve some of these problems as adults.

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If we want high school students to study science, we need to start by teaching them when they are in elementary school. We cannot expect a high school student to understand the complexities of biology and chemistry if they were never given a foundation of science education at a younger age.

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Many important careers require a knowledge of science. Students who want careers in areas such as medicine, environmental work or engineering need a strong foundation in science education in order to obtain those careers.

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Young minds are creative, innovative and full of ideas. Science nurtures these aspects of the brain. According to Dr. Eric Albone, director of the Clifton Scientific Trust, "Science is an intensely human, intensely creative, enterprise. Science dominates our lives and presents society with tremendous opportunities and tremendous challenges." If we want our students to take those opportunities and meet those challenges, we must teach them science at the elementary level and continue to do so at the secondary level.