Lesson 3: Elementary Science Curriculum Physics, Earth, and Space Science
I. Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
explain the intent, content, and structure of the basic education science curriculum;
discuss the science curriculum framework for basic education;
explain the importance of science education to national development;
discuss the historical development of science education in the Philippines; and
identify the opportunities and challenges in teaching science in the Philippines.
II. Learning Activities
Science education aims to develop scientific literacy among the Filipino
learners that will prepare to be active and engaged citizens in the society. As a
whole, the K-12 science curriculum is learner-centered and inquiry-based,
emphasizing the use of constructivist pedagogy in teaching. Concepts and skill in
life science, physics, chemistry, and earth sciences are presented with increasing
levels of complexity from one grade level to another in spiral progression, thus
paving the way to a deeper understanding of core concepts. The science curriculum
promotes a strong link between science and technology, including indigenous
technology, thus preserving our country’s cultural heritage (K to 1 Curriculum
Guide Science, 2016).
This curriculum is designed around the three domains of learning science:
understanding and applying scientific knowledge in local setting as well as global
context, performing scientific processes and skills, and developing and
demonstrating scientific attitudes and values. The acquisition of these domains is
facilitated using the following approaches: multi/interdisciplinary approach,
science-technology-society approach, contextual learning, problem/issue-based
learning, and inquiry-based approach. The approaches are based on constructivism,
social cognition learning model, earning style theory, and brain-based learning.
Science content and science processes are linked in the K-12 curriculum.
Organizing the curriculum around situations and problems that challenge the
learner’s curiosity motivates them to learn and appreciate science. The aim of the
K-12 science curriculum is for the learner “to demonstrate understanding of basic
science concepts and application of science-inquiry skills. They exhibit scientific
attitudes and values to solve problems critically, innovate beneficial products,
protect the environment and conserve resources, enhance the integrity and wellness
of people, make informed decisions, and engage in discussion of relevant issues
that involve science, technology, and environment” (K to 12 Curriculum Guide
Science, 2016)
A. ACTIVATE
How well do you know and understand science education in the Philippines? Let us
check your knowledge and understanding by performing the following activities.
Activity A.1.
Read carefully the introduction and conceptual framework of the basic education
science curriculum guide and answer the question below:
1. What is the overall goal of basic education science?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the content of the science curriculum?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. How is the content of the science curriculum organized?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
B. ANALYZE
Activity B.1.
The curriculum guide explicitly discusses important concepts, such as domains of
learning science, theoretical foundations, teaching approaches, and curriculum
features. Fill out the table below by selecting the set of items that should be under
each column. Copy the elements in the corresponding column.
Domains of Theoretical Approaches to Curricular
Learning Science Foundations Teaching Science Features
Set A: Learner-centered, Inquiry-based, Spiral progression of concepts and skills,
Intertwined science content and science processes, Problem-based
Set B: Multi/interdisciplinary approach, Science-technology-society approach,Contextual
learning
Set C: Constructivism, Social cognition learning model, Learning style theory,
Brain-based learning
Set D: Understanding and applying scientific knowledge, Performing scientific processes
and skills, Developing and demonstrating scientific attitudes and values.
Activity B.2.
This time, focus on the curricular features of basic education science. Write the
features below and cull textual pieces of evidence from the Curriculum Guide (CG) to
support your answer.
Curriculum Features Sample/Textual pieces of Evidence from the CG
1.
2.
3.
4.
C. ABSTRACT
The Department of Science and Technology developed the Science Framework for
basic Education. Included in this document are the guiding principles for the formulation
of the science framework. Read the principles carefully. Highlight the key concept.
Activity C.1.
The Guiding Principles of Science Curriculum Framework
1. Science is for everyone.
2. Science is both content and process.
3. School science should emphasize depth rather than breadth, coherence rather than
fragmentation, and use of evidence in constructing explanation.
4. School science should be relevant and useful.
5. School science should nurture interest learning.
6. School science should demonstrate a commitment to the development of a culture of
science.
7. School science should promote the strong link between science and technology,
including indigenous technology.
8. School science should recognize that science and technology reflect, influence, and
shape our culture.
From these principles, the two frameworks below were formulated/derived. Can you
explain the connection//how they came up with these frameworks?
Activity C.2.
Below is the science curriculum framework for basic education in the Philippines. A
curriculum framework is a set of standards or learning outcomes that defines the
content to be learned in terms of clear, definable standards of what the students should
know and be able to do.
Below is the conceptual framework of science education in the Philippines. A
conceptual framework is used to understand the place of and inform the direction of a
research project. Can you explain to a peer the meaning of this framework and the
relationship among the various features of the curriculum?
Compare the two frameworks. What patterns, common concepts, themes, target
outcomes do you see?
What do these themes and patterns mean to you?
____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
D. APPLY
Activity D. 1.
How does a 21st century science classroom look like. List down below the features
of the science curriculum you wish to see and explore in the classroom. What do you
think the teacher and students are like inside the classroom to manifest such features/
write in the corresponding column below.
Science Curriculum Features Samples from Actual Practice/Observations
1.
2.
3.
4.
III. Lesson Synthesis
How does the learning of science foster cultural development?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
