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Approaches to science education

Expository vs Inquiry science education at Canadian private schools

What is expository science?

Expository science follows a more traditional approach to teaching, where students learn scientific facts, theories, and the relationships between them primarily through direct instruction from the teacher. These programs still include hands-on experimentation and “live science,” but compared with inquiry-based approaches, expository science emphasizes content mastery and structured knowledge acquisition. Textbooks and knowledge assessments play a key role, starting in earlier grades, ensuring students can demonstrate a deep understanding of the material and apply it to complex or novel problems.


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What is inquiry-based science?

Inquiry-based science views science as a process of discovery. It focuses on helping students think and act like scientists by emphasizing investigation and critical thinking rather than memorization. While students still build a foundation of core scientific knowledge, they spend more time designing and conducting their own experiments—both empirical and theoretical. Students develop and test hypotheses, analyze results, and draw conclusions. Compared with expository science, inquiry programs prioritize skills development and problem-solving over content breadth, allowing students to learn through exploration and experience.

What is a balanced science approach?

Some science programs combine both expository and inquiry-based methods equally, blending direct, textbook-based instruction with hands-on, student-centred projects. These balanced programs offer the advantages of both: structured learning for content mastery and experiential activities that foster curiosity, creativity, and independent thinking.

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