What Science Teaches Beyond the Science

Science is a subject that fascinates some students and frustrates others. If there is one thing you can say about science, it is that this subject expands the mind. Science teaches students to think critically, ask questions, form opinions and much more. Although children don’t always have this kind of perspective, science has the power to change the world.  

Even if your student isn’t passionate about the subject, learning science offers many valuable takeaways. Here are several things that students can learn from science that are beyond science:  

Answers to the “whys” of the world – Science is the study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world. In school, teachers have students make observations, test theories and experiment. In life, the scientific method teaches students to seek understanding about the things that puzzle or fascinate them.  

To be curious about everything – At the core of science is curiosity. In science, students must ask and answer questions about why things are the way they are—and how different types of science explore different things. Your student might find animals interesting: what they eat, how they live, how they interact with other animals and more. That’s zoology. Or, maybe they like learning about space, how planets form, what stars are, and more. That’s astronomy.

How to solve problems with technology – Problem solvers—especially today’s digital natives—might find themselves gravitating toward technology-focused subjects in school. But they might not initially realize that technology is actually the application of scientific knowledge to solve the world’s problems. There are examples everywhere you look—from machines that water the crops that farmers grow (that ultimately end up grocery stores) to mobile apps that help people manage their health. 

To pay attention to the details – In many facets of life, the details matter. The scientific method involves skills like observation, classification of observations based on common properties, quantifying/measuring, controlling variables and interpreting. All of this requires attention to detail as well as critical thinking. Honing these aptitudes in science can help your student become much more detail-oriented, precise and methodical as thinkers. 

Without a doubt, there are many skills that the study of science strengthens in students, and many are transferrable to other subjects and areas of life. We often find that students who have struggled with math write off science as a subject that they’ll dislike, but science is actually very fun. It encourages students to think about the world around them. It has them pay attention and observe and make guesses based on their own knowledge and new information they learn. It really is one of the most enjoyable subjects when students open their minds. 

Of course, strength in science does require strength in math and strong analysis and comprehension skills. If your student has struggled with science, contact Huntington to learn more about our science tutoring in subjects that include earth science, biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology and physics. We’ll learn more about where your child is having difficulty through an academic evaluation and will develop a detailed program of instruction. Your child will not only become stronger in science—they’ll become a more confident student overall.