An Exploration of Teaching Strategies Used to Teach Natural Sciences at the Science Centre in Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the teaching strategies employed to teach natural sciences at a science museum in Pretoria, South Africa. Science museums have collaborated with the Department of Basic Education to enhance the quality of science education in the country. A qualitative case study design was adopted to gather data from the science museum. Using a purposive sampling strategy, two education officers responsible for teaching and learning at the museum were selected as participants. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews and observations. The findings revealed that education officers predominantly used a teacher-centred approach and a show-and-tell method to teach natural sciences. Additionally, lecturing and questioning formed a significant part of their instructional strategies. The study also noted the reliance on one-way communication methods, where learners were passive listeners and only engaged in conversation when prompted by questions. The article recommends training education officers to adopt facilitation roles and explore more effective teaching strategies. Such training could enhance the quality of natural sciences teaching and foster active engagement and deeper learning among learners.