Requiring primary school students to do experiments themselves

Instead of requiring primary school students to do experiments themselves, schools should only allow them to watch experiments demonstrated by teachers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Model Solution

There has been a debate on whether primary school students should conduct experiments themselves or only watch their teachers demonstrate them. While some argue that students should be given the opportunity to conduct experiments themselves, others believe that watching their teachers do it is enough. In this essay, I will discuss both views and present my own opinion.

On the one hand, some argue that primary school students should conduct experiments themselves. This is because hands-on experiments allow students to understand scientific concepts better. By conducting experiments themselves, they learn to think critically and logically, develop problem-solving skills, and become more independent learners.

On the other hand, others argue that primary school students should only watch experiments demonstrated by teachers. This is because conducting experiments can be dangerous for young children who may not yet have developed the necessary skills to handle equipment and materials safely. Furthermore, teachers have more experience and knowledge to carry out experiments effectively, and they can use their expertise to answer students’ questions and help them understand scientific concepts better.

In conclusion, while there are valid arguments for both sides, I believe that primary school students should be given the opportunity to conduct experiments themselves under close supervision. This allows them to develop scientific skills and understanding, while also ensuring their safety. However, it is important that teachers take appropriate safety measures and provide guidance to students during experiments to ensure that they are conducted safely and effectively.