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Themes and focuses can be used to integrate the NoS and DSSA strands with the contextual strands in science activities.

The NoS themes and DSSA investigation focuses can be used to integrate NoS and DSSA strands with the contextual strands in science activities. Use the steps below to refocus your own science activities.

Step 1: Select a NoS theme and DSSA investigation focus

NoS theme

The NoS themes are ideas about what science is that can be used explore the nature of science with students.

1. Consider your activity’s key science concept and how students will be investigating that concept.
2. Review the list of NoS themes, and select one that relates to the science concept or the investigation process.
3. Use the NoS theme web page to enrich your understanding of the nature of science.
4. Consider how the science concept can be used to explore the NoS theme.

DSSA investigation focus

The DSSA investigation focuses are ideas about classroom science that teachers can use when planning, and to guide, science activities.

1. Consider your activity’s key science concept and how students will be investigating that concept.
2. Review the list of DSSA investigation focuses, and select one that relates to how students will be investigating the science concept.
3. Use the DSSA investigation focus web page to enrich your understanding of classroom science.
4. Consider how you might guide the investigation.

Step 2: Create focusing questions

Consider what students are likely to know prior to the activity. Create focusing questions that elicit their current understandings of:

• the science concept
• the NoS theme
• what they will be doing to investigate the science concept.

Step 3: Create reflection questions

Consider what students are likely to know after carrying out their investigation. Create reflection questions, to be used during or after the investigation, that encourage students to discuss:

• what they have learned about the science concept
• what they have learned about the NoS theme
• how they carried out their investigations.

Additional supports

• Example Science IS activities that use each NoS theme or DSSA investigation focus are listed on each theme and focus web page.
• For more information on how the Science IS activities are structured, see About the Science IS activities.