Life Is Full of Science: An Interdisciplinary and Cultural Teaching Approach

Life is Full of Science: An Interdisciplinary and Cultural Teaching Approach helps pre- and in-service K-6 teachers change their perceptions about the difficulty of teaching science by sharing stories of integrating science into daily life.

The eight chapters discuss topics such as the definition, history, and characteristics of science education, definitions of inquiry, and examples of inquiry-based teaching methods. The book addresses how to plan lessons based on the 5E learning cycle of engagement, exploration, explanation, extension, and evaluation, and how to gear these lessons to state and national standards. Readers learn how to combine science with other subjects and how to interact with students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The book features hands-on, inquiry-based student activities and culturally diverse traditional games. Each chapter includes a summary to aid retention and a learning tip to support organization and application. Enriched with narratives that help teachers better understand science and apply it in the real world, Life is Full of Science is an excellent resource for teacher education programs and courses.

Jiyoon Yoon received her Ph.D. in curriculum instruction and science education at the University of Indiana, Bloomington. She is now an associate professor of science education and special assistant to the dean for Global Initiatives at the University of Texas, Arlington where she teaches science education and research methods courses. Her own research focuses on using technology to establish teaching and learning environments. She has participated in numerous methods research studies and instructional technology projects for pre- and in-service teachers. She also established and directed international exchange programs between the United States and Korea to share teaching methods and culture.