Issue-Oriented Science for All: Using Real-World Problems to Support Student Learning and Increase Student Engagement

All students should have the opportunity to learn about science in the context of real-world issues. Using the context of socioscientific issues to center science teaching and learning helps students see the relevance of science to their everyday lives and the lives of others, and the role science plays in speaking to complex real-world issues (Sadler & Dawson, 2011; Sadler et al., 2016.) This approach also helps teachers, especially new teachers, to navigate a frequent challenge—lack of student engagement (Topcu et al. 2010.) When students are presented with real-world problems with complex solutions that involve trade-offs, they are more likely to take an active role in their own learning (Carroll Steward et al., 2023.) This approach respects their intellect and challenges them in authentic ways (Jackson et al. 2023, Koo et al., 2024.)

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