Readings for Week 2

I. The Science Framework in the K to 12

The Science Framework in the K to 12 Science as whole, as provided by the national

framework of the DepEd responds to the 21 st Century Literacy which is the Science and
Technological Literacy. It involves three important components.

1. Understanding and Applying Scientific Knowledge

2. Developing and Demonstrating Scientific Attitude and Values
3. Performing Scientific Inquiry Skills

Based on these phases, all science learners who aim to be scientifically and technologically
literate should be:

• Critical and Creative Problem Solver

• Responsible steward of nature
• Innovative and Inventive thinker
• Informed decision maker, and
• Effective communicator.

As a future teacher, you should bear in mind, that you will be assisting or guiding your
learners to acquire these scientific and technological skills.

How are these skills developed? Based on the framework, the foundations of scientific and
technological literacy are characterized by the following models, approaches and practices
which are fully anchored on several learning theories:

1. Multidisciplinary-Interdisciplinary Approach Interrelationships and

interaction of different disciplines like science and mathematics, science and
social studies, science and history and many more.

2. Science-Technology Society (STS) Approach — One way to appreciate science is

to link it with technology and how it influences people, and their ways of life.

3. Problem/ issue Based Learning — Making use of the identified problem or issues
surrounding the environment will more meaning in learning science.

4.Inquiry-based approach — The basic principle of inquiry-based approach the

learners take ownership of a problem or a need and the desire to solve it.

Reference: Bilbao, P., Jusayan, S., Morano, L. & Tingson, L. (2019). Teaching Science in the
Elementary Grades Volume 1: Chemistry and Biology. Quezon City: Lorimar
Publishing, Inc.
 5.Constructivism — Constructivist teaching is based on the belief that learning
occurs as learners are actively involved in the process of meaning and knowledge
construction. Learners are the makers of
meaning and knowledge.

6.Social Cognition Learning Model — Learning can be directed to observing others

while interacting and experiencing.

7.Learning Style Theory the VARK model identifies Visual, Auditory, Reading/Riting
and Kinesthetic learners who respond to different kinds of learning. There are also
many other types of learning style.

This means that to teach science for learners to learn, a future teacher like you, will use the
above theories, principle and models in teaching.

Reference: Bilbao, P., Jusayan, S., Morano, L. & Tingson, L. (2019). Teaching Science in the
Elementary Grades Volume 1: Chemistry and Biology. Quezon City: Lorimar
Publishing, Inc.
 Figure 1. Science Framework in K to 12
Source: Department of Education
Go to https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Science-CG_with-tagged-sci-
equipment_revised.pdf for bigger and clearer framework

Science and Technological Literacy is the ultimate goal of science learning. Its
development starts early and formally begins in K to a completion of a degree and
throughout life. A country whose citizens are science and technologically literate will be
educationally and scientifically advanced.

To achieve this goal, there are three intervening skills that need to be addressed.

Understanding and Applying Scientific Knowledge. Science literacy starts with

acquisition of knowledge (ideas, concepts, generalizations, theories). However, such
knowledge should be understood and applied. Thus, in teaching science, teachers should
remember that although memorization of facts is important, however, these facts,
knowledge, generalization and theories should be understood and used in the daily lives.

Performing Scientific Inquiry Skills. Other than understanding and applying science
knowledge, it is also the foundation of scientific and technological literacy to perform inquiry
skills. Scientific inquiry skills can be seen as a set of skills to be learned by the students to
include the science processes of the AAAs, the performance of the scientific investigations
and the cognitive outcomes the students will achieve the inquiry. In short, scientific inquiry
is a systematic approach used by scientists in order to answer mind-boggling questions.

A science-oriented mind is a questioning mind. To inquire is to ask a series of questions and

find answers to the questions asked. The series of questioning and finding answers to the
questions refer to science inquiry.

Students’ abilities that are needed to enable them to be science inquirer are presented for K
to 4 and G 5 to 8 learners. These are found in the matrix below:

Kindergarten to Grade 4 Learners Grade 5 to Grade 8 Learners

Ask questions about objects, Identify questions that can be
organisms and events in the answered through scientific
environment investigations.
Plan and Conduct a simple Design and conduct simple scientific
investigation investigations
Employ simple equipment and tools Use appropriate tools and techniques
to gather data and extend senses. to gather, analyze and interpret data.
Use data to construct reasonable Develop descriptions, explanations,
explanation predictions and models using
evidences
Reference: Bilbao, P., Jusayan, S., Morano, L. & Tingson, L. (2019). Teaching Science in the
Elementary Grades Volume 1: Chemistry and Biology. Quezon City: Lorimar
Publishing, Inc.
 Communicate investigations and Think critically and logically to make
explanations the relationship between evidence
and explanations.

Developing and Demonstrating Scientific Attitudes and Values. The development and
demonstration of scientific attitudes and values is a very important component of scientific
literacy. What are scientific attitude and values?

Attitude can be positive or negative. Science attitude is oftentimes

attributed to characteristics of scientists, but learners can also develop scientific attitudes.
Here are some of the scientific attitudes.
1. Curiosity
2. Humility
3. Open-mindedness
4. Intellectual honesty
5. Perseverance
6. Skepticism
7. Creative and Innovative
8. Rational
9. Objectivity
10. Innovative

Characteristics of A Scientific and Technologically Literate Persons

If the learners are able to model, theories, and practices that are imbibed based the
framework, how then should every learner be characterized? It is expected that science
teachers should be able to develop learners who have characteristics exemplified below.

• Critical and Creative Problem Solver. Learners have developed skills that enable
them to analyze and find solutions to any perplexing questions of problems. They
have other ways of solving problems.
• Responsible steward of nature. Learners demonstrate concern in keeping the
environment safe for themselves and for everybody. They become citizens who
take responsibility of their action in protecting and preserving the environment.
• Innovative and Inventive thinker. Science as a discipline will enable learners to
create and innovate something simple for humanity. They will become scientists
and inventors of the future.
• Informed decision-maker. As science learners are growing up, they should be able
to develop the ability to make informed decisions. Most especially if they become
independent learners.
• Effective communicator. Science literacy also develops the ability of the learners
to convey the correct message to others, whether written or oral, from their fund
Reference: Bilbao, P., Jusayan, S., Morano, L. & Tingson, L. (2019). Teaching Science in the
Elementary Grades Volume 1: Chemistry and Biology. Quezon City: Lorimar
Publishing, Inc.
 of knowledge, results of inquiry, investigations and many more. There is a need
for science learners to share their findings.

Monitoring and Assessment

All throughout the process of science teaching and learning, and based on the framework,
there is a continuous monitoring and assessment of learning• These are very important
elements that need to be addressed in all educational endeavor including science teaching
and learning.

Reference: Bilbao, P., Jusayan, S., Morano, L. & Tingson, L. (2019). Teaching Science in the
Elementary Grades Volume 1: Chemistry and Biology. Quezon City: Lorimar
Publishing, Inc.