INNOVATIVE

TEACHING
METHODS
IN SCIENCE
1.Hands on Learning
This is the best teaching method invented so far that
involves the active participation of students to
experience scientific concepts than to just have an
audience view.

Schools are promoting the use of low cost apparatus

in classrooms to helps students to have hands on
learning experience. It can be a string telephone to
teach about sound and communication, matchstick
mecanno to teach 3D structures, notched pencil to
teach rotation motion or anything similar.
2. Story Telling
Students love to hear stories and therefore,
storytelling is one of the best ways to get their
attention in class.
Teacher can explain the facts of biology or
the laws of physics in the form of stories. This is a
mental organizer as human brains can remember
stories than just plain facts. Some teachers present
the whole concept as a story while some others use
a story to open and end the session.
3. Role Play
This innovative method is becoming an integral
part of science education as students can intellectually
and physically involve through activities while learning
a new concept.
Activities can be organized in classroom sessions
where a group of students can take the role of atoms
or molecules to study a chemical reaction or they can
represent a scientist group to demonstrate the
particular scientist’s laws.
4. Sports Based Learning
This is an interesting approach to learn
problem-solving in physics or a stepwise method to
study complex chemical reactions.
A game of football or cricket helps them to
learn about the percentage, average or probability
which can find its use in physics problems. Sports
are mostly played in teams which also promote the
importance of teamwork that helps them to
synchronize better in group projects.
5. Visual clues
Using visual clues easily supplements auditory
information and students can easily connect better
with ideas.
The multi-sensory experiences improve their
understanding and memorization. This includes
drawings, diagrams, and pictures to assist theory and
setting up examples to show its application side.
The sequence of lab procedures can be better
taught using pictures with words approach.
6. Instructional Conversations
Building instructional conversations is a key
method to teach science vocabulary. Let them talk
in between the lectures about the experience they
had with an application related to the topic of
discussion.
This promotes their dialogue construction in
science as they communicate using scientific and
technical terms. Make this a classroom strategy to
help students to easily learn science vocabulary.
7. Science Text Cards
This is an innovative teaching method to convey
the science facts in an easy and organized way. In this
activity, statements related to science concepts are
written on index cards.
Students can work individually, pairs or in
groups to sort the cards based on the given format. The
formats include true/false,agree/disagree, matching
pairs, classification, sequencing and more.
8. Word Games
This is a creative strategy to help elementary
students to experience the language of science.
Hangman, Pictionary, Dingbats, Bingo, Scrabble, Odd
One Out, Charades, Trivial Pursuit etc. are the
common games.
Playing these games using scientific terms helps
the students to work closely with different hard to
understand words and use them fluently in their
subject.
9. Graphic Organizers
This teaching approach is helpful for students to
interact with science in a more organized and
structured way. Teachers can use different types of
templates to represent the data according to the topic
that is being handled.
A typical format for graphic organizer contains a
central point from which different branches are
formed and there may be sub-branches in certain
cases. Arrows are used to point the direction or
sequence of a process.
10. Word Parts
This teaching strategy is followed by teachers to
educate the basics of science to elementary students.
While introducing new scientific terms, they can
reinforce the structure of words.

Students are asked to identify and understand prefix,

suffix, and base word, and to relate their meanings.
For example, metamorphosis — meta (large), morph
(change), osis (process); photosynthesis — photo (light),
synth (make), isis (process).
11. Social media
The different social media platforms can be used
wisely to teach science to make the science classrooms
more interesting and engaging. For instance, students
can be asked to follow scientists in Twitter and share
his/her new thoughts and findings in class or to use
Feedly for improving the content of their research
projects.
Students can also use Vine to document and to
share science videos, Pinterest account for sharing
images for research projects or writing prompts or
WordPress class account for peer-to-peer learning.
12. Virtual science labs
There are many virtual science labs available
online for free and therefore, this approach almost
gives hands on experience of learning the subject
without much expense.

Detailed diagrams, illustrations or close up

pictures allow students to virtually get inside a plant or
animal part without actually doing it. Dissections in
biology can be studied thoughtfully with a virtual
hands-on sensation without the problem of odour and
similarly, experiment a chemical reaction without
burns.
13. Word walls
Science word walls in classrooms can stimulate
the interest of students in the subject and an
opportunity for them to illustrate different concepts.
In an advanced technique, a more in-depth
understanding of different scientific terms can be
made possible with pictures that accompany the words.
This is also an option to help them better
understand words with multiple meanings. Teachers
can design creative word walls or ask students to
contribute to the idea weekly or monthly.
14. Thinking Maps
This is an ideal way to visually represent
different thought processes which help to organize the
science education with a better flow. There are
different types of thinking maps available which can be
chosen wisely to represent the particular topic.
This includes bridge maps to teach relation
between ideas, brace maps to break larger objects into
smaller parts, flow maps to show sequence of events,
multi-flow maps to show effects or causes of an event,
tree maps to classify objects or ideas and more.
15. Mini anchor charts
These interesting charts are a great idea to give
a detailed overview or explanation of a science topic.
Teachers use it to interactively teach areas such as
scientific methods, types of energy, plant life cycle,
states of matter, mixtures and solutions, force &
motion and more.
To make the whole idea interesting, the teacher
brings variations such as black and white charts,
colored ones; fill in the blank models, and full-page
anchor charts for large classrooms.
16. Crossover Learning
In this teaching method, students are given
opportunity to learn in multiple settings such as inside
the classroom, museums, field trips or clubs.
Teachers can use this method effectively by
proposing a question in class, taking students to
informal settings to find answers and then, going back
to classrooms to discuss and share the findings. This
way, learners can record, link, recall and share their
diverse learning events to explore the topic and get a
deeper level understanding.
17. Argue with Science
Learning through argumentation gives students a
widened thinking to contrasting ideas which in turn
deepen their understanding.
They can refine ideas with others and engage
with open-ended questions, and re-state observations
or remarks in a more scientific language. Teachers can
also guide them in their approach and share the
intellectual expertise with them.
18. Context-Based Learning
In this method, students are given the
opportunity to create context and explore ideas from
them. They interact with surroundings, hold
conversations with subject experts, make relevant
notes and attempt to modify the nearby objects.

The context can be understood in detail by

exploring the world around. This gradually helps them
to interpret new information from the context and
relate to what they already know.
19. Computational thinking
This is an advanced technique to improve
thinking and problem-solving skills. The method
comprises decomposition i.e. breaking large problems
into small units and pattern recognition-related
problems to the ones which were already solved
successfully in the past.

Computational thinking skills also cover

algorithms-step by step approach to reach a solution;
abstraction-neglecting unimportant details and
debugging-refining these steps.
20. Remote labs
Learning by doing is an unparalleled approach to
teach science and this is made a reality with remote
labs. Students are given access to authentic scientific
tools and opportunities to control remote lab
experiments.

This would enhance their inquiry skills and

conceptual understanding and also, the students can
learn and explore with motivation.
21. Embodied Learning
In this approach, mind and body of the students
work together to explore science. The physical
feedback, as well as the resultant actions, will
reinforce their learning process.

This idea is well supported by today’s technology

such as visual systems that track movement or
wearable sensors to collect physical and biological
data.
22. Science museums
Give opportunity to students to visit a science
museum as part of the learning process. This gives
them access to innovative resources and they can
visualize data they learned in class.

They can have a look at the real work of

scientists which improves their urge to learn about it
further. Regular visits to museums make learning
science more engaging and interesting.
23. Projects
This can be an individual activity or group
activity which helps students to showcase the
application side of what they learnt through theory.

This method involves choosing the idea, building

a plan, executing the plan and finally evaluating it.
When students pass through these stages, they can
improve their skills to express ideas, problem solving,
overcoming the challenges, team work and self
assessment.
24. Multimedia Approach
This method is a blend of text, audio, animation,
video, still images or interactivity content forms to
teach diverse difficult to understand concepts in
science.

The educator can convey vast information using

advanced media, devices and techniques, and involve a
wide range of activities to provide a meaningful
learning experience.
25. ICT Enabled Learning
ICT refers to the use of Information and
Communications Technology to teach the scientific
ideas that promotes open source learning.

In order to make the accessing, storing,

transmitting, and manipulation of information more
easy, this approach integrates telecommunications,
computers and relevant enterprise software, storage,
middleware, and audio-visual systems required to
handle the topic.
26. Video clips
This teaching technique makes use of
instructional video clips available online or in libraries
to show and teach a new concept.

The evolution of a process can be conveyed

better with animation videos. It can also be videos of
demonstration of an idea or an application side of a
theory or an interview with a scientist, tutorial by a
subject expert and more.
27. Power Points
Instead of the conventional talk and chalk
methods, teachers now include power point
presentations in their classroom sessions to make it
more interesting.

They connect the computers to projectors to

address a larger classroom and include interesting
slides with diagrams and flow charts to make the
teaching more interactive.
28. Mini-labs
Mini-labs allow students to take part in hands-on
activities inside the classrooms to illustrate a concept.
This makes classroom sessions more fun, engaging and
memorable.

Students can attempt to mock-up day/night with

a globe and flashlight, build circuits, test for
conductivity and magnetism, produce mixtures and
solutions or model the formation of sedimentary rock
and more.
29. Science Fair
Schools should conduct science fairs as part of
their teaching strategy to promote students interest in
the subject as well as to evaluate their level of
understanding.

In this competition, students are given a time

frame to answer a question or perform a task through a
range of experiments and research. They showcase the
output in the form of reports, display board, or as
models.
30. Research books
The teacher can promote the use of research
books in classrooms rather than just text books and
lecture notes. Students are asked to do a research on
whatever topic is covered in class by means of
libraries, websites or by talking with experts.

This can include the extended information of

their syllabus and their findings with diagrams and
charts to emphasize it. They can share their research
books with classmates too.
31. Documented Problem Solving
In this method, the teacher insists students
record their thought process when solving a problem.
They are asked to explain their reasoning for reaching
the particular solution rather than simply presenting a
solution.

This kind of documented problem solving helps

them to have a deeper understanding of their process
and gives an option for self-analysis.
32. Science kit
This is one of the innovative methods of teaching
science to kids and adults alike. Let it be physical
science, life science, or earth science, teachers are
now making use of science kits to help students have
an engaging educational experience.

They can conduct small experiments with guided

instructions to identify rock specimens, to watch out
for insect metamorphosis or demonstrate chemistry
reactions.
33. Science stations
This is a fun, quick and engaging way to teach
science that promotes student-led learning. Science
stations support differentiated learning that lets
students immerse themselves in topics, experience
science to the fullest and then reflect back on their
learning.

There will be multiple stations built with

different learning styles and students can research,
explore, watch, read, write, assess and illustrate the
science concepts.
34. Observation stations
More than just the textbook assignments that
have limitations in exploring the topic, these
advanced observation stations help students to build
up their research, observation, and creativity.

This includes activities that help them to have

an understanding of a specific concept using 5 to 6
stations with varied options. The activities include
determining mass using a triple beam balance or
testing objects to find out their electrical
conductivity and magnetism and a lot more.
35. Peer-to-Peer Teaching
Students take the role of teaching each other
that promotes excitement learning science. In Peer-
to-Peer Teaching approach, they are really engaged
in the content by discussing scientific topics,
generating questions and working in teams to explore
new information.

Some of the activities involved in this approach

include buzz groups, solution groups, and critic
groups.
36. Science movies
Teachers take initiatives to take them for
science movies in theatres or in school halls that
clearly showcase the application side of scientific
concepts.

More than just entertaining them, many

science movies captivate their attention and
illustrate diverse science concepts in the real world.
Science and nature-focused documentaries is one of
the best ways to introduce science to kids than spoon
feeding them with text book content.
37. Science games for kids
Kids always love to play and that is why smart
teachers introduce science to them with interesting
games. They can learn more about science and
technology with fun.

A wide range of games are available online that

showcase the concepts of animals, plants, space,
forces, light, sounds, magnets, electricity, weather
and gases. There are games with multiple levels and
passing each level teaches a new concept and
illustrates scientific experiments.
38. Science songs
This is another creative teaching method to
help kids to learn about the science world with fun.
Teachers can make use of the interesting science
songs available online or create one to introduce the
basics of astronomy, biology, botany, physical science
and earth science with fun.

Science Is Real, Meet the Elements, The Star

Song and Motion Song are a few among the popular
science songs available online.
39. Science Exhibition
Encourage your students to take part in science
exhibitions as part of school level or inter-school
level competitions. This is a great opportunity to
bring out their creativity in science and design an
application based on a scientific concept.

Develop this inquisitiveness and creative

mindset in students right from the elementary classes
to help them to grow up as science enthusiasts.
40. Mobile apps for Science
A number of mobile apps are available online
for elementary, middle school and high school
students as well as for those undergoing advanced
studies. Today’s kids are tech savvies and they love
to learn science using their gadgets.
The advanced mobile apps built with
innovative features in fact turn students into
scientists. This lets them hold science in their hands
and explore it with just a few taps. The popular apps
in the category include Human Body, Cozmic Zoom,
Earth Primer, Video Science, Science360, NASA
GLOBE Observer and a lot more.
41. Field trips
In the middle of boring classroom sessions, take your
students out for field trips to experience science
while learning. Go to an aquarium, a nature center, a
scientist’s home or visit a pet store.

You can also spend some time with the students in

the bird park or simply go on a nature walk to
experience the science around while learning new
concepts.
42. Science clubs
Set up science clubs in your schools or
community, which is an ideal approach to STEM
education that assimilates high quality hands-on
instruction.

This is the right place for science enthusiasts

to share and discuss new happenings in the science
world and to connect innovative ideas to what they
actually learned.
43. Reward discovery
Right from the elementary classes, teachers
should support, guide and inspire students to discover
the wonders of science.

With an inquisitive mindset, there are a lot to

discover from the science world we are living in.
Also, reward them for the small discoveries they
make and let them share and present it in class.
44. Interactive science journals
This is an advanced version of lecture notes in
which students express the information they learnt
into different templates and elicit their own
responses.

Students can use this technique effectively to

have a deeper connection to their learning and this
activity promotes their higher level thinking. They
can be creative with their notebooks using pictures,
charts and comments, thus, building an encompassing
resource for future reference.
45. Science at home
Like scientists say, science starts from home.
Encourage your students to discover science at home
from elementary classes itself. Ask them to find out a
specific science concept application at home as
assignments and let them discover science on the go.

There are fun science activities at home that

involve parents and kids such as measuring Earth’s
circumference with a shadow, creating under water
fireworks with chemistry, building a balloon powered
toy car and a lot more.
46. Flipped Classroom
In this innovative teaching technique, students
are asked to go through video instructions or tutorials
in the initial stage, i.e. digital learning.

The second stage will be in classrooms where

they involve in challenging tasks and assignments
based on the information gathered through video
assets. This flipped learning frees up class time for
activities such as hands-on labs, guided practice or
online simulations.
47. Guided Discovery Problems
Understanding science is more than just knowing
some facts and the guided discovery problems method
makes it possible. This technique can be integrated into
the lecture, lab and field courses.
It refers to understanding science step-by-step
through the discovery process and involves the
collection and processing of data, debugging and
explaining it through intriguing puzzles, structured
hands-on activities and right presentation of
information.
The conceptually difficult or counter-intuitive
topics are better handled with this approach.
48. Fishbone
This is a visual tool for organizing critical
thinking which is a good approach for problem
solving in science. The fishbone diagram helps to
teach students about the root causes leading to a
problem and quantifying the relationship between
the effect and cause. This is more effective when
teaching a group. In this diagram approach, the
head of the fish represents the change, the ribs
show the reason and riblets have the supportive
evidence.
49. Science Quiz
Include a quiz as a part of your classroom
sessions when teaching science. This can be done
as a whole class activity by splitting the group into
4 or more sets. The questions can include the
application of the theory taught in class. Students
can discuss and share ideas to find the solution
within the stipulated time frame. This teaching
approach helps students to think from different
angles and sometimes, to think out of the box.
50. Build your model
This can be a challenging task given to students
as part of science education. Models are the building
blocks of science which are used to explain the
diverse aspects of real world.
Ask your students to build their own model
using the scientific knowledge they have acquired
and you can provide supportive guidance.
Students will be creative in making models and
designing their own imaginative means of testing
them. This is the right approach to find the scientist
in them.
50. Build your model
The new era teachers and science enthusiasts have
come up with many innovative teaching methods in science and
the listed ones are just a few among them.
We live in a scientific world and the advanced teaching
strategies are helping students to discover and explore science
every day.
Other than the listed methods, teachers looking for
advanced techniques can also try group discussion, case studies,
laboratory experiments, seminar, outdoor teaching, creative
illustrations, crafts, dramatization, and interactive lecture
demonstrations to help students to experience the beauty of
science.