Scientific thinking is:
- purposeful thinking that has the objective to enhance knowledge
- intrinsically linked to the skills of working scientifically.
A scientific thinker:
- raises questions and problems
- observes and gathers data
- draws conclusions based on evidence
- tests conclusions
- thinks with an open mind
- communicates research findings appropriately.
It can be helpful to conceptualise scientific thinking as the thinking that students engage in throughout the process of working scientifically.
Scientific thinking video (6:41) explains scientific thinking using the NSW Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus. A Stage 3 example shows teachers how students could use scientific thinking to solve a problem.
Transcript of 'Scientific thinking'
Definition © 2017 NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales.