Socioscientific Issues Quick Start Guide for Teachers
De Leon, Ashley
De Leon, Ashley
Abstract
Today’s global challenges call for a shift in how science is taught, particularly in helping students understand and respond to complex, real-world issues. Socioscientific issues (SSI) offer a powerful way to teach science through issues that are relevant, controversial, and rooted in both scientific and social contexts. Research shows that SSI-based instruction can boost student engagement, critical thinking, scientific literacy, and ethical reasoning. However, many teachers struggle to implement it due to time constraints, limited resources, and a lack of support. This project responds to that need by creating a practical, research-informed tool designed to help high school science teachers get started with SSI instruction. The results provide a step-by-step unit planning guide for interested teachers to use when planning SSI units by translating the research into practice for them. Although the tool has not yet been tested in classrooms, it provides an entry point for teachers seeking to incorporate socioscientific issues into their practice.
Description
Date
2025-08-02
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Publisher
University of Wyoming
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Keywords
socioscientific issues,education,instructional strategies,unit planning,argumentation,character development