BasicsNature of science
Product and process
Science is both a body of organised knowledge (the product) and a way of finding out (the process of inquiry).
Based on evidence
Scientific ideas rest on observation, evidence and experiment — not on authority or belief.
Tentative & self-correcting
Scientific knowledge is open to change; it is revised when new evidence appears.
AimsAims of teaching science
Knowledge & skills
To build scientific concepts and the process skills used to investigate the world.
Scientific attitude
To develop curiosity, open-mindedness, honesty and rational, evidence-based thinking.
Science for life
To connect science to everyday life, health, technology and the environment, so it feels relevant.
InquiryThe scientific method
Steps of inquiry
Observe a problem → ask a question → form a hypothesis → experiment to test it → collect and analyse data → draw a conclusion that others can check.
Question-driven
Good science teaching starts from children's questions and lets them investigate, rather than simply giving answers.
SkillsScience process skills
Basic process skills
Observing, classifying, measuring, communicating, inferring and predicting.
Integrated process skills
Forming hypotheses, controlling variables, experimenting and interpreting data.
Skills over facts
The goal is to develop these thinking skills, so children can investigate — not just memorise information.
MethodsMethods of teaching science
Inquiry & discovery
Children explore and 'discover' concepts by investigating questions themselves, guided by the teacher.
Experimentation & demonstration
Doing experiments (or watching well-chosen demonstrations) lets learners see processes and test ideas.
Project method
Purposeful, real-life projects let children apply science over time and learn by doing.
Problem-solving & activity
Posing problems and hands-on activities keep learning active and meaningful.
PracticalLaboratory & activities
Why hands-on matters
Lab work and activities make abstract ideas concrete, build process skills and develop a genuine scientific attitude.
Safety & care
Children should learn safe handling of apparatus and materials as part of practical science.
ResourcesTeaching aids & innovation
Teaching-learning materials
Models, charts, specimens, simple apparatus and audio-visual aids make science vivid and clear.
Improvisation
Where labs or apparatus are limited, low-cost, improvised and locally available materials can be used effectively.
Beyond the classroom
Science clubs, fairs, field trips and nature study extend learning and spark interest.
AssessmentEvaluation in science
Assess understanding & skills
Evaluate concepts and process skills (observation, reasoning, experimenting) — not just recall of facts.
Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation
Use experiments, projects, observation and worksheets through the year, with feedback that improves learning.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the nature of science?
- Science is both organised knowledge and a process of inquiry, based on observation and evidence, and open to revision with new evidence.
- What is the scientific method?
- Observe → question → hypothesise → experiment → analyse data → conclude — a systematic, checkable way of finding out.
- What are science process skills?
- Observing, classifying, measuring, inferring, predicting, hypothesising, experimenting and communicating.
- What are the best methods of teaching science?
- Inquiry/discovery, experimentation, the project method, demonstration and activity-based, problem-solving learning.
These notes summarise the science pedagogy concepts tested in CTET Paper 2 (and most state TETs). For exam-style practice with answers and explanations, use the free CTET practice pages linked above.