A Sweet Approach to Learning Science
A coalition of scientists, including members from the Royal Society of Chemistry, recently suggested incorporating experiences like licking an ice lolly into the primary school science curriculum. The concept is that by observing a lolly melt, children could gain a practical understanding of melting, thereby enhancing their grasp of chemistry and physics.
The debate: Do hands-on experiences foster scientific understanding?
The proposal has sparked questions about whether activities like licking a lolly, kneading dough, playing with shadows, or digging in the soil genuinely aid in learning science. While hands-on demonstrations can serve as entry points to deeper understanding, they are not substitutes for comprehensive knowledge.
The idea of experiential learning is not new. It traces back to early 20th-century educator John Dewey, who advocated against rote learning. Dewey warned that memorizing facts without understanding would result in “inert knowledge”—information that students couldn’t apply to real-world situations.
The power of memorable experiences
Licking a lolly in class can create what psychologists refer to as an episodic memory—a vivid recollection of a specific event. “An experience like licking a lolly may at least be memorable,” noted the scientists. However, there’s a critical distinction between remembering an event and understanding the scientific principles behind it.
Semantic Memories: The core of scientific understanding
True understanding of scientific concepts involves semantic memories, which are based on knowing how things work and what they mean. For instance, understanding the term “heavy” without associating it with a specific object. This type of memory is crucial for scientific learning and language use.
Most knowledge isn’t tied to a single experience. It accumulates over time, much like how a gardener learns about plant growth through multiple encounters. Similarly, understanding melting requires more than a one-time demonstration; it involves repeated observations and comparisons.
Understanding science goes beyond recalling experiences. It requires learners to connect observations to broader contexts and revisit concepts periodically. Without a foundational understanding, students might fail to connect classroom observations to wider scientific principles. For instance, knowing why and under what conditions a lolly melts is as important as observing the melting itself.
Avoiding misconceptions
One-off experiences can lead to misconceptions. For example, students might erroneously generalize that the speed at which a lolly melts or its stickiness are universal characteristics of melting.
The ice lolly proposal also emphasizes the value of personal engagement in learning. Research supports that people remember things better when personally invested. For example, a study found that people recalled random words more effectively when asked “do you like this?” compared to a neutral question like “does the word contain a letter ‘e’?” However, these studies often focus on short-term memory, and personal engagement does not guarantee long-term retention.
Beyond theoretical considerations, the practicality of distributing and managing ice lollies in a classroom setting poses challenges. The logistics of storing, handing out, and cleaning up after such activities are considerable.
For students to truly build scientific knowledge and apply it in the future, the focus should be on strategies that foster deep understanding of concepts rather than relying on memorable but superficial experiences.