What should science education look like in the next decade?
It’s a question we need to ask urgently — because the world our students are entering is not the one we were trained for.
The future will be shaped by climate change, biotechnology, AI, energy transitions, and ethical dilemmas we can’t even fully imagine yet. In that world, science isn’t just a subject; it’s a survival skill.
And yet, much of our current science education still prioritises facts over frameworks, certainties over curiosity, and performance over purpose.
What Has to Change?
- From content coverage to conceptual depth.
We must teach fewer things better — and give students time to sit with uncertainty, debate competing theories, and reflect on implications. What this means for the remainder ‘content,’ is yet to be determined. When would children learn these concepts, if at all? We also need to evaluate what we are teaching in the current set of content and ask ourselves, is this what these children need for tomorrow? - From lab reports to real-world problems.
What if science lessons looked like climate action planning, health equity investigations, or food system redesigns, instead of learning abstract organic Chemistry pathways? - From knowing science to doing science.
Students should be designing investigations, challenging results, and asking bold questions, not just reproducing outcomes. Whilst some curricula, embed this into the teaching and learning, this skill is almost always tested through exam format. How can that be accurate? The IB, having its Internal Investigation, is a stepping stone to the right direction, but even there, templates are adapted and students often recycle past investigations or use search engines for ideas, and curiosity sits often, in the backseat. - From passive learners to critical citizens.
The goal isn’t to create more scientists. It’s to create people who can engage with science as it intersects with society, policy, and identity. Is this not what we need in the worlds today? Haven’t we been saying how inexperienced cabinet ministers are in their respective roles and offices? What if education cultivated a learning experience that talks to the impact of science in all aspects of life?
Why It Matters
Because the future won’t reward those who simply remember what’s in the textbook.
It will reward those who can think systemically, reason ethically, and act responsibly.
The future of science education isn’t just about producing STEM graduates.
It’s about raising informed, curious, empowered humans.
And I guess the most important question is, does this matter to you?
Leave a comment