024: Scientific Learning in the Elementary Classroom with Zoe Rising

The hands-on quality of the Montessori method is what sets it apart, and that’s never more apparent than during science lessons. From demonstrating complex concepts in the classroom to encouraging students to conduct their own experiments at home, Montessori educators have the ability to inspire curiosity and imagination in their students every day.

In this episode, we sit down with cofounder of Learn Libre and former Montessori student Zoe Rising to talk about scientific learning. She shares some of her favorite science experiments and demonstrations for helping students understand abstract ideas. We also talk about the limits of Maria Montessori’s framework and how we can apply it to our new scientific concepts.

What’s in this episode:

• Zoe’s fondest memories of learning science in a Montessori classroom
• Her favorite Montessori science lessons to teach her students
• How we can use demonstrations to introduce students to abstract concepts
• Why science experiments are so engaging for elementary-aged children
• Challenges you might encounter when planning science lessons and experiments
• What makes the Montessori approach to scientific learning different 
• What we wish Maria Montessori would have been able to develop a framework for

Note: As of February 2024, Montessori Laboratory is now known as Learn Libre. Any references made to Montessori Laboratory are still relevant under the new name.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit https://www.trilliummontessori.org/scientific-exploration-in-the-elementary-years/

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Six Easy Pieces by Richard Feynman

Explore Learn Libre (formerly Montessori Laboratory) (Affiliate link)

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