Science as a Creative Endeavor

The common societal perception of science is that it is formulaic, logical, and essentially void of creativity. Although scientists must connect their ideas with logic, real science is a very creative process that includes using the imagination to generate questions and solve problems. Unfortunately, how we teach science lines up with the societal misperception. This in turn can negatively impact our students’ perception of science, as well as their interest in science and most likely their confidence in science. Luckily, there are many strategies that can be implemented to support students in developing scientific creativity as well as scientific literacy—avoiding memorization, encouraging a sense of wonder, making science personal, creating a collaborative classroom, sharing scientist stories, and mindful integration. Included is a series of activities and a full lesson plan that showcase the highlighted strategies within elementary science.