Conceptual science is the foundation of scientific thought and is important for science literacy. Procedural science involves specific experiments and methods, but understanding concepts is necessary for their application. Teachers can introduce conceptual science early, leading to better learning and innovative thinking. Some universities have departments exploring scientific philosophy to understand the direction of research and historical attitudes towards science.
Conceptual science is the understanding of the basic ideas that underlie scientific thought. These ideas are built upon more advanced scientific research and education to engage increasingly abstract and complex thinking. Educators interested in science literacy often place an emphasis on conceptual science to equip students with tools they can use throughout their lives, even if they don’t pursue careers in science. This field is also a topic of interest to philosophers, historians, and others interested in the nature of scientific thought and research.
Procedural science, in contrast, introduces people to specific methods and experiments. Students need to understand concepts to apply them to procedures, and do not benefit from research and experiments if they do not understand the underlying ideas. For example, a teacher might want students to experience growing plants under different conditions, a procedural activity. First, students must understand the basics of plant biology and topics such as photosynthesis, the conceptual science that explains why the experiment should be performed.
Instructors can introduce students to conceptual science at a very early age. Teachers can demonstrate that many things in the classroom and neighborhood are rooted in science and can provide information that encourages students to seek more knowledge. Topics like the weather, for example, can be discussed in a scientific context to teach students about meteorology and the procedural research scientists do to predict and explore weather conditions. This knowledge can be expanded as students explore chemistry, physics, and more advanced topics.
Understanding concepts is a key part of learning in the humanities and sciences. Students with a thorough grasp of conceptual science can learn to apply concepts to new topics of interest and may be able to think more theoretically and abstractly. This can be critical to innovative thinking in school settings, where students need to be able to assemble knowledge building blocks to successfully advance in science education. The emphasis on conceptual science provides the tools to do this.
Some colleges and universities have conceptual science departments that explore the origins of scientific thought and the philosophy behind historical and modern approaches to science. These programs examine the basic ideas behind scientific research and explore new ways to expand upon them. Understanding scientific philosophy can help researchers understand the direction research might take in the future. It may also be important for ethics committees and retroactive reviews of scientific research and attitudes to understand how people thought about science and why they understood the world that way.
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