The Smithsonian Science Education Center’s The Science of Teaching Science

Science Teaching: Build on What Students Think

Great science teaching doesn't ignore student misconceptions—it builds on them. Learn to spot the gaps and mental models in your classroom: what your students think is true but isn't. Then use those misconceptions as a bridge to the correct idea instead of an obstacle to overcome. This course from the Smithsonian Science Education Center teaches practical instructional strategies grounded in how students actually learn science, not how textbooks pretend they learn.

You will learn to:

• Identify student misconceptions and mental models
• Develop teaching plans using those misconceptions
• Apply evidence-based instructional strategies
• Plan more effective science instruction