Socioscientific issues (SSI) instruction is a student-centered, educational strategy that provides students with the opportunity to learn science content while applying knowledge in real-world, relevant contexts.

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Students learn science content in order to solve an open-ended problem linked to societal issues and along the way, develop and use a diverse set of skills.

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Using socioscientific issues-based instruction:

• Increases student motivation and interest

• Improves higher order thinking skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and argumentation

• Increases understanding of science content knowledge

• Increases understanding of the nature of science

• Results in student gains in scientific literacy

• Requires students to develop an approach to controversial, real-world issues

• Improves communication skills

• Increases collaboration with peers

• Allows students to understand the importance of science in everyday life

 

SSI has been found to be a vehicle for engaging the students’ attention about a topic—as an attention grabber or as a justification for the student having to learn the material.

 

 

 

 

 

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