Stephanie Haggis

Educ 302/303
Spring 2016
Statement of Faith-based Teaching and Learning Through My Worldview Lens
of Science: Transformation of Energy
I believe that knowledge is Seeing how all parts of nature is
connected and working together in harmony (Stronks and Stronks, 1999). It
is our duty as educators to give our students the opportunity to know God
better by understanding how his world works. Every person on earth knows
the world in some form or another. Energy and the transformation of it in its
multiple forms is what enable people to move and live.
God gave men and women senses. This is the rationale behind my
certain way of teaching. I want to create an environment where the students
can explore, touch and experience science instead of read it from a textbook.
God has given us senses to explore this world and to experience science in
this way. I cant imagine not utilizing this gift to create a personal connection
to the material.
Energy and the transformation of it is how things move. All the
creatures of the sea and birds of the air move to praise Gods name.
Students go out every day for recess to move and play. Students are
constantly surrounded by moving objects so they already have a sense of

what is going on and how things work. My role is to provide guidance and let
the students explore on a deeper level.
According to Van Brummelen (2002), the role of the student is to draw
on their own conclusions using their own personal experiences. Students are
paired up with each other. The groups of two will bounce ideas off each other
and work together to understand a concept. Students are then freely able to
express their understandings to both the partner and the large group when
we regather. The students draw their own conclusion from what they have
experienced with guidance form the teacher as well. At the end of each
lesson, I ask the students to reflect on what they have learned typically by
asking the students to write in their write everything journals. This not only
provides time for reflection for the students, but also allows the teacher to
assess what the students have taken away from that lesson as well.
In the past, science was taught out of a textbook and not experienced
through experiments. I was taught lecture style when I was in elementary
school. I think this practice does not let students learn to the best of their
abilities because they are not engaged. While teachers should still provide
guidance and direction with his or her lesson, they should not lecture the
entire time about what will happen. I think that this style of teaching is not
doing Gods work to its fullest capacity.
I think it is Gods calling to educators to let his children understand the
transfer of energy because it is something that impacts the lives of the

students every single day. Having the students play and explore in the world
is worshiping his name because they know him better through his creation.
Reference list
Stronks, J., & Stronks, G. (1999). Christian teachers in public schools.
Grand Rapids: Baker.
Van Brummelen, H. (2002). Steppingstones to Curriculum: A Biblical
Path (2nd ed., p. 12). Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications.