PSLE Science: A Tough Nut to Crack?

STEM: The acronym that's taken the world of education by storm in recent years is also one of the biggest challenges for faculty that deal with it. Short for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, STEM holds the key to the future, which is in the hands of today's students.Singapore's educational system puts a lot of emphasis on STEM, and it starts as early as Primary school. Of all subjects, PSLE Science is considered the most difficult to teach and learn because the subject combines both theoretical and creative elements.The faculty, in particular, face immense pressure to teach the subject, thanks to the challenges it imposes. This blog lists the challenges and the solutions that staff can implement to overcome them. If you are a PSLE Science teacher, this article is for you. So, let's get going.

7 Problems Teachers Face with PSLE Science

Problem No1: Inability to "Define" ScienceLet's accept one fact. It is not easy to define such a vast subject in one word, sentence, or paragraph. Unfortunately, when this question arises, many teachers resort to traditional definitions:

• Asking questions
• Formulating theories
• Making predictions
• Conducting experiments for evidence
• Arriving at the final analysis.

This is the most a teacher can do to define Science in a classroom scenario, which is the foremost challenge.Problem No.2: Teacher's Comprehension of ScienceTeaching PSLE Science is no walk in the park. It is a job for professionally-trained faculty with theoretical and practical subject knowledge. A lack of adequate training and academic qualifications to teach Science can badly dent a teacher's confidence and performance in the classroom.Problem No. 3: Students' Understanding of ScienceScience is not every student's cup of tea. However, in Singapore, the subject is mandatory for all Primary students. One of the biggest challenges teachers face is when students lack an affinity for Science. Many students struggle to understand scientific concepts because they fail to see the connection between the theory and real-world events.To overcome this problem with PSLE Science, teachers can rely on the students' knowledge with other relatable content. Students learn more effectively when teachers explain scientific theories simply and logically.

Problem No.4: The lack of teaching experienceTeaching experience is a great asset that comes with many years spent in the classroom with students of various ages. It is an asset that's unique to each tutor. Lack of adequate training in the early years can dent a teacher's experience, resulting in major problems with Science because of a lack of knowledge about the written facts. Moreover, a less experienced and less-qualified teacher will lower students' performance, which will make learning more challenging.Problem No.5: Lack of teaching and learning materialsThere is absolutely no point in teaching PSLE Science without adequate learning and instructional resources. Teachers require good books, reference material, and well-equipped labs to demonstrate theories for students to understand them easily.On the other hand, students also require textbooks, instructional material, and access to scientific equipment. The lack of these must-haves will pose a serious challenge in the teaching and learning process.Problem No.6: Lack of timeIt is no secret that teachers today are loaded with academic and non-academic work. Where will they derive the energy to conduct in-class experiments with such a burden? Science is a combination of theory and practice. If it is going to be restricted only to theory, students lose the opportunity to experiment and make observations. Moreover, the 21-st century student also needs to polish their skills in:

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Interaction
• Group discussions

All the above are impossible without practical science classes.

Also Read : Everything You Need to Know About PSLE Science

Problem No. 7: Lack of good teaching and learning methodsScience is a subject that requires extra teaching strategies that make the subject more interesting for the teacher and the students. Teachers must:

• Plan to teach lessons with an interesting impact.
• Employ practical methods for better understanding.
• Use interactive and demonstrative methods.
• Encourage children to ask questions and share ideas.
• Encourage more student participation.
• Adopt a practical teaching approach to make the subject interesting.

Without such teaching methods, teachers cannot know if the pupils really understand what they are being taught in Science.Now that we've dealt with the challenges let's list the solutions for you.

6 Solutions to Teach PSLE Science Online & in Class

Traditional teaching methods are not enough to deal with STEM subjects. Instead, teachers can teach active learning to build a solid foundation for STEM.Here are seven simple solutions to get you going.

1. Be well-prepared with a solid lesson plan that has the complete attention of your students.
2. Understand and implement 5E: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.
3. Find innovative, relevant ways to connect scientific concepts with the real world.
4. Create an engaging and interesting science-learning environment in class.
5. Inform students of the various STEM opportunities and scholarships.
6. Embrace digital learning approaches to align yourself with the student's interests.

Shaping Future Generations with PSLE ScienceThe affinity for Science can either be innate or cultivated and nurtured throughout the years. Teachers play an indispensable role in helping students develop a passion for this subject closely related to our everyday lives. A teacher's role can spell the difference between extinguishing or igniting a child's dream of accomplishing great things in Science.You can become an excellent teacher in PSLE Science by following the advice above and making a lasting impact on students for many generations to come.Aiding your child's mastery of PSLE Science is StudySmart, Singapore, our AI-powered app. Give your child the StudySmart advantage and witness the remarkable progress in their PSLE preparations. Call us today for a demo.